A BOOKE OF THE INuention of the Art of Nauigation, and of the greate trauelles whiche they passe that saile in Gallies: Compiled by the famous Sir Anthonie of Gueuara, bishop of Mondonnedo, Preacher, Chronicler, and Counseller vnto the Emperour Charles the fift. ⁂
Dedicated by the said Authour, vnto the famous Sir Frances de la Cobos, great Comptroller of Lo [...], and Counseller vnto the said Emperour Charles the fift. Wherein are touched most excellent antiquities, and notable aduertisements for such as saile in Gallies. ⁂
Imprinted at London for Ralph Newberrie dwelling in Fléetestreate.
ANNO. 1578.
TO THE RIGHT HOnourable the Lord Charles Haward Baron of Effingham, and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter: Edward Hellowes wisheth long life, with the fulnesse of all perfecte felicitie.
RIght Noble, I not onely directed by the glorious Gueuara in this example and treatise which he dedicated vnto a noble man of Spaine, & in singular fauor with the Emperour Charles the fifte, but also constreyned with the oppression and burthen of your bountie, wanting all other mean either of abilitie or facultie, to discouer my dutiful affection, with the more boldnes, not without regard of the mildnes of your humanitie, with an humble [Page] feare to be noted of mine owne parte, of some presumption, or want of due consideration of any imperfection of the matter, do present, respecting your age & honour annexed vnto the rare vertues of fortitude and temperance, with the experience of the sea and sea matters, with shippes and shipping, wherein approued trial, no lesse worthie credite, hath made knowne vnto all persons not insensible: your readines & aptnes in all weathers, to manure not only the meanest matters, as all maner of cordage and tackle within boord, namely sheat, halliard, bowline, tacke and helme, with such other, as also the vse and practise of the Astrolobe, Balistilio, Carde and Compasse: but also the diligent searche in knowledge, of all capes, forelands, shores, portes, creekes, hauens, races, tides, bankes, and rockes. All which things although not vsuall to [Page] Noble men, & yet most necessarie vnto all manner persons that haunteth the seas: expresseth kinde to be an assured guide, to yeld vnto your honour more expertnes then is common or easily obteyned, to be heyre and successour of Neptunes charge and gouernement. This small treatise, (as a subiecte in nature) were it of worthines sufficient, most due vnto your honour: but barren prouision impayring my good meaning, forceth me to present vnto your honour, the handfull of water, (as it were) which was presented vnto the mightie Artaxerxes, who with such mildnes did accepte the same, that he said no lesse noblenesse did consist in receyuing small thinges, then to giue great and mightie giftes. Right humbly beseeching, that it may please your honour, not onely to receiue this simple present in good part, but my sincere meaning [Page] into your good fauour: and I shall not cease with fortified minde to craue the omnipotent GOD to giue your Honour large and vertuous increase to the noblenes of your minde, as also the concluding and most absolute felicitie, which yeeldeth happines in all worlds.
To the Reader.
RIGHT Christian Reader, dedicating my selfe vnto thy good disposition, by this smal treatise, I giue thee to vnderstand, of the first and old inuention, as also the inuenters, chiefly of Gallies, as also of shippes: by whiche deuice wee generally conceiue all countries to obteine participation of eache others commodities: Sea fishing with the profits and nourishment therof obteyned: as also the territories of diuers countries defended: with diuers & many such others. Wherin of the other part, if I should alledge the opinion of certeine, whiche affirme, that so vnremoueable bounds declareth Gods omnipotent ordināce, that euery country so diuided ought to content themselues to liue, by the gifts of the same God & countrie: and that Gods iustice consenteth not vnto so great mischiefes, which both first and last shippes and gallies not onely by murders and slaughters haue been committed, but also by transporting excessiue vanities, aduauncing this worlds insolencie, would not growe ouerlong & tedious, but also somewhat besides the matter. But to the purpose, thou hast also (gentle Reader) herein to vnderstād, the opinions of diuers Philosophers, which in their owne persons would neuer consent vnto Nauigation, wherin as mee seemeth they haue discouered their owne weaknes, of al men to be noted, but not of all persons to be imbraced. Also the mightie & famous Pirates of old time, to be meruailed how they might atteine vnto so great power & continuance: & in the end, vnto so miserable destruction. Also priuileges somewhat straunge which they vse in Gallies, of all persons which meane to haunt the same to be noted. Also the subtile disposition of the Sea, and perillous properties thereof aptly declared. As also the necessarie prouision for passengers, therein to be vsed. Farewell.
A Letter Missiue, or Dedicatorie of the Authour, vnto the renowmed sir Fraunces de la Cobos. (⁂)
AMongst the Philosophers, namely Mimus, Polystorus, Azuarchus, and Pericles, there passed no small contention, and no lesse varietie of argument, in the definition, what estate or cōdition of men were most subiect vnto the inconstancie of Fortune? & vnto whome she discouered her selfe most suspicious, and least worthy credite. The Philosopher Polystorus said that Fortune was not in any thing more vncerteine, & wherein she did lesse keepe promise, then in the act of matrimonie: for so much as there had beene no mariage wherein there was not found some want, weakenes, or deceipt: which is to say, that the wife proued either foolish, subtile, absolute, of tedious parēts, of dowrie vncerteine, ful of strife, or such other infirmitie. The Philosopher Azuarchus held opiniō, that Fortune was not more vncerteine or suspicious, then in the feate of armes, or martiall affayres: affirming, that it was in the hands of men to enter battell, but in God onely to giue victorie. The Philosopher Pericles affirmed, that Fortune was not in any thing more incōstant, or vnsound, then with the priuate and fauoured seruauntes of Princes, with whom she staid long in aduauncing of them, and after with a blast she ouerthroweth them. The Philosopher Mimus auouched, that Fortune in any thing did not more vse her will, and lesse obserue promise, [Page] then in sea matters & Nauigatiō of mariners: for there neither profiteth substance, or is wisedome sufficient: eyther doth she respect persons: but if Fortune fancie, she leadeth a Lighter amonges the mounteines of the high seas, and after drowneth a Carrecke in the hauen. Applying that which is said, vnto that which I would say, me seemeth (right noble) that of these foure maner of Fortunes, two of them are knocking at your gates, which is to say, the possession of great fauour with our Caesar, and the ofte sayling whiche you vse at sea. Hee whose honour dependeth on the wil of others, & many times commendeth his life vnto the sea, the one is very daungerous, & the other proceedeth of great rashnes. Your honour performeth no smal attempt, to beard & make head against the stūbling blocks that Fortune bestoweth vpon such, as she aduaunceth to great honour, but that you also hurle & abandon your person so oft into the waues of so fierce seas? Publianus the Philosopher said, Improbe Neptunū accusat, qui iterum nanfragiū facit. As if he would haue said, He vniustly cōplayneth of the sea, that two times passeth the same: since he that only twise passeth the sea, hath not licence to complaine thereof: then, by what iustice may he cōplaine, that foure times twise hath prouoked her fickle cōdition? Alwayes giue not credite & yeld not faith vnto signes, likelyhoods, or cōiectures, either for that alwayes you are serued with a good gallie, or make your choice of a good capteine, or special Pilot, or serued with most chiefe prouision, and obserue or watche most aptest time. All which thinges giue good cause the more doubtfully & with lesse suretie to returne vnto y e sea: for that flattering Fortune neuer shooteth her so cruell shott, as against such persons [Page] onely as she hath led many yeres in great securitie. Lucius Seneca writing vnto his mother, said: O my mother Albinia, if thou knowe not, I giue thee to vnderstand, that I neuer gaue credite vnto whatsoeuer Fortune did aduertise me, althogh at times there was truce betwixt vs: all thinges which she sent vnto my house, she said they were her absolute giftes, but I neuer conceiued or receiued them but as lent: by which meane it cōmeth to passe, that when she returneth to demaunde them, without any altercation willingly I do yeld thē: in such wise, that if she remoue them out of my cofers, at the lest, she shal not teare them out of mine entrailes. Hee that said these and such like wordes, was natiue of Cordoua, which is not farre distant from your citie of Vbeda: and further, he was as priuate with the Emperour of Rome, as your honour is now in Spaine: And after fourtie two yeares that he had manured the common wealth of Rome, in ambushe Fortune had placed so great mischiefe, procured by her great despight, and no lesse deceipte, that in one day hee lost both life and goods. Sir beleeue me and be out of doubt, that in this life there is nothing more certeine, then that, what soeuer it conteyneth is most vncerteine.
The Emperour Titus on a day eating with great ioy, soudeinely at the table clapt his handes and gaue a great sighe, and being demaunded, why he sighed so deepely, made aunswere: I may not satisfie my selfe, with sighing, either ceasse from weeping, so oft as I call to remembrance howe at the will and pleasure of Fortune, my honour is cōmitted, my goodes sequestred, & my life deposed. Oh high, and verie high wordes, right worthie to be written in the hartes of the mightie! Opulent [Page] riches, high estates, and souereigne fauours, if I durst say, I would say, that it is more honourable and also more safe to despise and hold them in small estimation, then to possesse them: because to obteine them it is but fortune, but to contemne procedeth of valure. To giue you counsel to cease to follow Caesar, were of too great want of reuerence: and to persuade you, not to returne into Italie, were rashe ouerthwartnes: but that which I dare say, is, that you should as much presume to be a Christian, as to be in fauour: and that first you accomplishe with reason, and then with opinion. Not without consideration, I did say & aduenture my selfe to giue you this counsell: because all the mischiefe of Princes Courtes doth arise, that nation followeth nation, people followeth people, & opinion followeth opinion: but reason neuer followeth reason. And for that vnto Princes we must giue our words by weight, & vnto the fauoured by measure: my letter cōcludeth with this aduertisement, that you commit trust vnto y e Gallie but sildom, but vnto Fortune neuer: because they be matters much better to behold farre off then wherewith at hand to be conuersant. I haue composed vnto your honour a booke, intituled, An aduise for the fauoured, at times when you shal be on land to peruse: & now haue composed this other treatise of the life of the Gallie: for when you shall passe the Seas, my intent hath bene, that the one may serue to passe the time, & the other the profite of time. And if for that I am of smal power and lesse valure, you hold my watchings in small estimation, yet my intent is not to be reiected: for that none doeth so much desire, that you be in fauour, as I desire that you be saued.
A TREATISE OF THE inuenters and inuention of the Arte of Nauigation, and of the trauels of the Gallies. Compiled by the renowmed sir Anthonie of Gueuara
Bishop of Mondonnedo,
Preacher, Chronicler, and Counseller vnto the Emperour Charles the fifte.
¶ The Theame and Introduction followeth.
WHich wordes being taken for the foundation of this present treatise, are the termes of an auncient prouerbe, which amongest the common people is greatly vsed, and of such as escape the Gallies much lamented. That whiche we terme in Spanishe, Retrans: is said in Latine, Prouerbes: in Gréeke, is vnderstood, Sentences: and in the Chaldean, is named Experiences: in such maner, that Refrans, or Prouerbes is no other thing, but certeine Sentences of Philosophers, and aduertisementes of men of experience.
In this manner and kinde of prouerbes, many auncient and learned persons haue written, That is to say: Xenophon the Thebane, Pittacus the Greeke, Anacharsis the Numidian, Solomon the Hebrue, Mythas the Aegyptian, & Seneca the Spaniard. Plutarche Cheronensis saith, that he gaue more credite vnto poore womens Prouerbes, then to the sayinges of the loftie Philosophers: for the one neuer say but that which they haue experimented, and the other do write very oft, that which they do but dreame.
If Trogus Pompeius deceiue vs not, in the common wealthe of the Sicyonians, Philosophie was neuer read, [Page] neither did they ad [...]t Philosophers, but commende their warlike affaires vnto valiant Capteines, and the gouernement of their Common wealth vnto men of experience. The Sicyonians being demaunded by King Cyrus, who they did not admitt Philosophers, or giue themselues in Philosophie, made answere: O King Cyrus, we giue thée to vnderstand, that this our countrie is paire, and full of mounteines, & hath more necessitie of labourers and plowmen, then of Philosophers. And further, we finde by experience, that from studies they procéede more vicious then Philosophers: for which cause, we determine to gouerne our Common wealth by the experience which old men possesse, & not by the science which Philosophers do learne. That the Sicyonians should vtterly reiect the learned, I condemne them for brutishe: but ioyntly therewith, for their gouernement, by men of experience, I commend them as discréete: bycause for mine owne parte, and also for thine that shalt either heare or reade this same, wée shall be muche better gouerned, by him that is of two yeares experience, then by him that hath tenne of science. The Theame of this our treatise which sayth:
We may safely and without preiudice sweare, that it was not inuented by the Philosophers of Athens, but by mariners at Sea: for which consideration, it is great reason that we beléeue and giue them credite, & holde it in estimation: since the inuention procéedeth of matter well proued, and not dreamed or diuined.
But the matter is, that in this treatise we shal speake of the originall, and first beginning, of the manner & making of Gallies, and what prouision is to be prouided and vsed in them: all which things being saide and declared, I am assured that manie will woonder, and [Page] some will laugh. All that we shall blazon and saye in this matter, our audience hath to vnderstād, not hear-say, but experience doeth giue vs direction: for that scarcely there is not any porte, channell, or gulffe in all the Sea Mediterrane, but therein wée haue béene, hauing also passed no small daunger. That whiche is saide suffiseth for the introduction, and there resteth not, but that ye hée attentiue: for that hee goeth to the Gallie in an euill houre, that taketh not holde of this my doctrine.
Of the straunge report of Historiographers, concerning Gallies. The first Chapter.
BEfore King Ninus, before the destruction of Troie, before the floud of Can [...]ion, and before the greate battell at Peloponnesus, although many and verie notable thinges were founde and inuented by curious men, & of delicate iudgement: yet we knowe not who were the inuenters, although their inuentions remaine with vs at these dayes: for that in those so auncient worldes, men vnderstoode not to read, much lesse to write.
After that mans industrie at leasure had found out letters, and the manner & order of writing, we knowe euery notable thing, from whence it was inuented, howe it was inuented, who was the inuenter, and wherefore it was inuented.
Amongst all old things, one of the moste auncient is the arte of Nauigation: in which manie haue saide manie and variable things in their writings, wherin, for so much as they haue béene so diuerse and contrarie in opinions: it is verie credible, that they were rather feigned, then either séene or read. But that whiche we meane in this matter, is, that for such as are curious, we will write curiously, that which in this arte of Nauigation, the most auncients haue written, as well Gréekes as Latines: and it shall rest in the discretion of the wise Reader, that he beléeue what he thinketh to be true: and as touching the rest, to holde it as fabulous.
And for that in this treatise our principall intent is, to speake of Gallies, & of the inuenters and trauels [Page] thereof, we shall here recite, howe many fashions of them were vsed in olde time, amongest the auncients, as well Greekes, Aegyptians, Carthaginians, as also Romanes.
Writers of histories doe report, that Demosthenes the Thebane was the firste whiche inuented to rowe with two oares on a banke: which was some what before the siege of Troie.
Also they report, and the Gréeke Thucidides saieth no lesse, that a tyraunt of Corinth named Amonicles, was the firste that inuented Gallies, with thrée oares on a banke.
The Gaditanes, and the Penes, haue greate contention betwixt themselues, for the firste inuention of foure oares on a banke. But Aristotle doth rather yeld his opinion in the fauour of y e Penes, who vsed that newe inuention, when they came to succour the Lydians their friendes and confederates.
The Gallie of fiue oares on a banke, is saide to be the inuention of the Rhodians, when Demetrius did besiege them: and others giue the glorie of this acte vnto Nasicus a renowmed capteine of King Cyrus.
The Gallie of sixe oares on a banke, Plutarche saith was the inuention of Amonides the Lycaonian: but Thesiphont denieth that it was the inuention of any, but of Xenagoras the Syracusan, in the dayes y e Nicias came from Greece to subuert Syracusa.
The Gallie of seuen oares on a banke, Plinie in a certeine Epistle woulde giue vs to vnderstand, to be the inuention of Nessegatus.
Pretonius a moste auncient writer doeth afirme, the inuention to apperteine only vnto Promotheus the Argiue: and yet others do say, that the singular Alchimides in inuention did find out the same: and which of these is true, he knoweth that is onely true.
[Page] Plutarche in the booke of the Fortune of Alexander, would giue vs to vnderstande, that when Alexander the great did make an armie at the Sea against Diomedes the tyrant, he had a Gallie rigged and furnished with twelue oares on a banke: although of trueth he writeth it so obscurely, that therein he discouereth his want, both in knowledge and exercise of Nauigation.
If any will giue credite vnto Barbo [...]us Theneus, must holde it as verified, that the greate Ptolomeus whiche was named Philadelphus, attained to haue foure thousand gallies of twentie oares on a bank, the shaftes all trimmed with lead, to yeld them pliant and handsome for rowing.
Th [...]s [...]phont, & Alercius, & also Hermogenes make mention of a certeine Gallie, made by the ancient Herisson of Syracusa: which had two forecastels, and two p [...]pes, and vnder hatches, xxx. chambers, and a ponde of fishe that conteined twentie thousand Canthars of water: adding thereunto so manie other straunge things, that they rather séeme Poeticall, then otherwise.
Also it is saide of Ptolomeus Philopater, that was king of Aegypt, against whome the good Machabeans did fight: that he made a Gallie of fourtie oares on a banke, which was so stately to beholde, & so harde to be gouerned, that it conteined more then foure thousand oares, besides sixe hundreth mariners.
The sonne of this said Philopater, which also was named as his father, made another Gallie, not so stately, eyther so costly, but more beautifull, & also of greater deuise & engine: wherewith in Summer he did solace vppon the riuer Nilus, and did winter the same in the Isle of Meroe.
After the terrible battell Pharsalian, where Pompeie was ouercome of Caesar, they say that Caius Caesar [Page] pursued and also did take a Gallie, that fledd from that conflict of fiue oares on a banke, wherein there were so manie trées with fruit, as it had béene an orchard of Campania.
Lucius Seneca, in a certeine Epistle, reprehendeth Lucullus the Romane of a certeine curiositie, or to say better, a vanitie: which is to say, that he made a Gallie neare vnto his house of the Castell de Lobo, whiche was so large, that therein they did not onely chace the madde Bull, but also the Mariners gatt infinite money, to giue place vnto multitudes of people to beholde the same.
Dionysius the Syracusan, and Phocion being mortall enimies: Phocion caused a Gallie to bee made, wherein he, with his wife, children, seruants, friends, alies, and confederates, amounting to the number of sixe thousand and odde, which in the day time came vp the riuer, and at night did retire vnto the Sea.
Of Aurelianus the Emperour his Chroniclers doe recount, that after he triumphed of the Quéene Zenobia, he caused on the riuer Tiber suche and so great a Gallie to be made, that the largest partes of Tiber hardly might conteine the same: in the waste wherof there was roome sufficient, with horses to runne the Carrera, as also to torney and iust.
To say all the friuolous vanities that in this matter of Gallies is said and written, would growe verie large to be written, and tedious to be read: onely we will recite these fewe, to the ende the readers may vnderstande, that also we haue read, and thereof verie litle beléeued. In this Chapter following, we will report the opinion of other historie writers, as concerning the inuention of Gallies, the which in my opinion are more credible, & that which they haue written more to be credited.
¶Of the inuenters and vsers of Gallies, seruing for Nauigation, and of diuerse their deedes. The second Chapter.
THeseus the renowmed Graecian, was the first that did chaunge and alter the great citie of Athens, naming & creating therein Senatours, & commaunding Palmes to be giuen vnto y e Conquerours: which custome endured vntill the time of the Romanes, who afterwardes deuised to giue their Conquerours triumphes.
This Theseus was he that entered the Labyrinth, and slewe the Minotaure, & gaue an order to the people to liue, as also vnto their souldiours howe to fight: because he was a Prince of a cleare & delicate iudgement, and of a valiant and noble minde.
This Theseus in a conquest, which he determined vppon Rothana, whiche is a countrie in Asia, of his owne proper deuise inuented the firste Gallie of this worlde: which firste deuise atteined but vnto thirtie oares, and the mast of xl. shaftments.
The Atheniens helde this newe deuise in so greate veneration, that their King Theseus being dead, they placed the same within a temple, where long time afterwardes it was kept and conserued.
Alcibiades was among the Gréekes of noble bloud, and of deuise verie ingenious, although of him not verie well employed: for that he naturally was an enimie to quietnesse, and of greate affection to innouations.
This Alcibiades did vse much to say, that onely for one thing, men ought to trauell in this life, which is to [Page] wéete, to be famous amongest straungers, and a Lorde in honour amongest his vassals.
He being condemned to dye by the Atheniens, hearing the sentence, saide: Not I of them, but they of mée are condemned to die: since I goe to the Gods, with whome none may die: and they remaine amongest men, with whome none may liue.
This vnquiet Prince Alcibiades came vnto the citie of Syracusa of Trinacria, with an hundred & thirtie Gallies, throughly well rigged and furnished with men and munition to destroy and subuert the same: for that he was aduertised they had armed a nauie to chastice his insolent déedes done at Sea.
This Alcibiades was y e first that added other twentie oares vnto the Gallies, and vnto the mast fiftéene shaftments, & also of the Gallie he called the forep [...]t Prora, and the hinder parte Puppis.
Themistocles the Gréeke was a mortall enimie vnto Aristides the Thebane, for the death of the beautifull Aestigilia, whose death and iniurie, was of all the people of Greece bewayled: and by the handes of right glorious Princes reuenged.
Being demaunded of a Greeke, whether he had rather resemble the great Achilles, that atchiued so great and manie things, or the Poet Homere that did write them with so high a style: thereunto Themistocles aunswered: I woulde alwayes rather triumph with Achilles, then proclame with Homere.
Being demaunded of his enimie Aristides, why he was so ambitious of warres, since the attempters thereof (for the moste parte) did all perishe therein, aunswered: I confesse, ô Aristides, that manie that are affectionate vnto the warres, doe perishe therein, but thou maist not denie mée, that verie fewe whiche are not dedicate therevnto, be crowned.
[Page]When he was requested, and also counselled to marrie his daughter vnto one that was verie riche, & no lesse couetous, he aunswered: I would rather haue a man that hath néede of money, then money that hath néede of a man.
The Atheniens being in great feare of the Cretensians, with whome they trauersed cruell warres, but the more, for that they had Atheutides of Corinth for their Capteine: therevnto Themistocles answered: feare not Theutides, for I knowe him, that if he haue a sworde to kill, he wanteth an heart to drawe it out of the scabberde.
This Themistocles did arme and rigge foorth an hundred Gallies, against the Agisinetes, whoe were pyrates, all whome he did take and hang: which déede made him in Greece to be serued, and in the Seas to be feared.
This noble gentleman was the first that inuented to place the forecastell, where mariners might shroude themselues from the weather, and with more safetie fight with their enimies.
Symon, a famous Capteine of all the Lycaonians, when his friendes and parents did sharply reprehend him, for leauing his studie, and negligence in letters, he aunswered: Brias my brother is méete for studie, because he is flegmatike: and I for the warres, since I am cholericke: for that Philosophie agréeth verie well with men that be dull and negligent, and warre is to he commended vnto men of liuely and entermedling Spirites.
When in the Senate of Athens they argued in his presence, whether were more safe to haue a good Capteine and a weake armie: or a strong armie gouerned with a weake Capteine, he answered: For my purpose, I had rather haue an armie of Hartes, a Lion being [Page] their Capteine: then an armie of Lions, being gouerned by an Harte.
Being bounde vnto the conquest of a certeine people of the greater Asia, and also persuaded of a Capteine to sende for the Agisinetes, who did knowe very well to dy, he answered: The Gods neuer command, either my destinies permitt, that any such people shold marche in mine armie: for in the warres we haue no néede of men that knowe to dye, but haue courage to kill.
This Symon was the firste that gaue order in the Gallie to rowe with thrée oares on euery banke: and first inuented also the misen saile.
He obteined an hundred Gallies to his owne proper vse, of whome Plutarche sayeth, that he so vowed him selfe vnto the Sea, that he passed thrée yeres, in all which time he neuer sett his foote on lande.
King Demetrius, who was sonne vnto King Antigonus, as he had successe with Fortune, so did he order his life: which is to wéete, in time of peace he woulde suffer nothing that might be tedious: and in time of warre, he admitted nothing that might be pleasant.
If King Demetrius had béene aunswerable in his olde age, to the beginnings of his youth, he had béene another Achilles amongest the Greekes: and another Caesar amongest the Romanes.
His father King Antigonus being dead, althoughe he alwayes followed the warres that he had enterprised, and the parcialities which he had taken in hande, on the other parte he was so inconstant of his woorde and promise, and so effeminate in his factes, that to followe his loue Lamia, he suffered detriment in his fame, was abhorred of all Greece.
King Demetrius being demaunded, why in his youth he had béene so prosperous, & in his olde yeres so infortunate, [Page] answered: Because I was an enimie to reason, and gaue ouermuch trust vnto Fortune.
In great conflicts and perils, many times sighing he did vse to say: O deceiptfull Fortune? howe easie art thou to be founde, but howe difficil to be kept?
Being blamed by his familiar friende, for his often murmuring at Fortune, by whome he had obteined so manie victories, and was indued with so many giftes: he aunswered: Oh, howe great reason haue I to complaine of Fortune? which with victories hath made mée a foole, and with aduersities hath not rendered my witt.
This King Demetrius alwayes delighted to haue a great fléete at Sea: & was the first that inuented Gallies with xxv. bankes: amongest the rest, he made a bastarde Gallie, which was furnished with foure hundred oares, and conteined two thousand armed men.
Philopater the Thebane, although nature had made him lame on one foote, and squint in one of his eyes, yet his great and doughtie actes were such, and so renowmed, that he was intituled throughout all Gréece, Philopater the iust, for his good gouernement: and, Philopater the fortunate, for the victories whiche hée obteined.
A certeine Capteine named Aristo, thwarting Philopater with wordes of reproche, that his lame foote in the warres did rather serue him to stumble, then to fight: Philopater answered: O Aristo, I confesse vnto thée, that to go to y e warres, is a matter much more safe for thée then for mée for vnto thée there wanteth an heart to fight, & yet hast thou féete to flye: but vnto mée there wanteth féete to escape by flight, but no heart or courage to endure all conflicts and hazardes.
This Philopater was much and long time at Sea: and being demaunded, if he were not at some times [Page] afeard, he answered: We that go to Sea, are but only once afearde: and that is on lande, before we enter the Sea: for after we be entered and determined, then we hold it for most certeine, that at the mercie of a proude and loftie waue of the Sea, a sandie banke, or a ragged rocke, we leade our liues to be solde.
This philopater came from Asia to conquer Rhodes with an hundred Gallies, all rowing with seuen oares on a banke: certeinly, a thing verie monstrous to beholde, and no lesse difficult to susteine.
Many Princes bothe Gréekes and Latines did imitate philopater in making gallies with seuen oares on a banke: all which did perishe, and had an ende: and in the ende of many experiences practised in Gallies, they resumed in generall, that the good Gallie is not to be more then of fiue oares on a banke, either lesse then thrée.
The renowmed Cleopatra sometimes Quéene of Aegypt, and onely loue vnto Marke Antonie, (which loue cost him his life, and her both life and honour:) when shée passed from Aegypt vnto Graęcia, to encounter with Caius Caęsar, the oares of her Gallie were of siluer, her anchors of golde, her sailes of silke, the ppooe of Marfile entailed.
Beholde here the inuenters of Gallies, & also their inuentions, wherein, to this day, Seamen haue alwayes somewhat to bee amended, and no lesse to bee added.
Of the first inuention of Nauigation, and the great daungers thereof, and of manie philosophers that would neuer saile or passe the Seas. The thirde Chapter.
[Page] IF we should beléeue Isidorus in his Etymologies, the Lydians were the first that inuented the arte of Nauigation, who attained not, but to the ioyning of certeine beames or logs, which being fastened and calfated, they entred into the Sea, fishing therein: not with courage sufficient to wander farre from lande.
After the Lydians, the Sidonians were the first that added their inuention of certeine baskettes made with Willowe roddes, skinnes, canes, and ciment, wherein they did not onely venter to fishe, but also to saile somewhat further into the Sea.
Long time after this, the Islanders of Choronta brought foorth the inuention of meane Barkes: and also of little shippes made only without all other matter but of timber.
All writers of histories do agrée, that somewhat before the battell at Maratho, Epaminondas the Gréeke, did finishe to place in perfection the manner of sailing, and the fourme to make shippes: for in the Peloponnesian warres, the renowmed Capteine Brias was present, with shippes, Carreckes, and Gallies: but be it as be may, and the inuention to whome it apperteineth: for many times I staye to consider, howe lothesome it was vnto the first man, that being safe on lande, would committ him selfe vnto that waterie Element, and vnto the waues and pillers of the Sea, since there is no sailing so sure, wherein betwixt life & death is conteined more then a boorde.
As mée séemeth, excéeding couetousnes, and want of wisedome, did ioyne handes in the deuise and arte of Nauigation: since wée sée by experience, that for men not infected with couetousnesse, & indued with peaceable disposition, there is no land in this worlde so miserable, [Page] which stretcheth not to serue the necessitie of mans life.
Herein it is séene, howe man is much more brutish then all other beastes, since all beastes doe flye, for no other cause, but for feare of death, pressed by nature to conserue that life which is giuen, and may not bée had, but onely by diuine gifte: onely man, beeing captiue vnto couetousnesse, saileth, and goeth to the Sea.
But thou, O Mariner, giue mée to vnderstande, if for the saluation of thy soule, or conuersation of life, any safe matter may be founde at the Sea?
What thing is contrarie vnto vs on land, which is not muche more on Sea? On land wée are vexed with hunger, colde, thirste, heate, agues, sorrowes, enimies, misfortunes and angers, all whiche thinges doe yeelde double and treble vexation vnto men at Sea.
And besides all this, the sorrowfull sailer standeth at the mercie of the winde, to be ouerthrowen, and of the terrible waues to be drowned.
I neither lye, or repent my selfe to say, that if couetousnesse did not tyrannize mans heart, there woulde no fléetes remaine on Sea: for that is the onely cause that doeth alter their hearts, draweth them from their houses, yeldeth them vaine hopes, placeth in them newe strengths, banisheth them from their countries, maketh them towers of winde, depriueth them of their quietnesse, leadeth them wandering out of their wittes, carrieth them solde vnto the Sea, and also teareth them in a thousande péeces on the rockes.
The Philosopher Aristo saide, that he died twise, that died on Sea: that is to say, firste his hearte was drowned in couetousnesse, and after his bodie in the water.
[Page]Certeinely, a sentence right worthie to be noted, and to memorie to be commended: since God hath not created man to dwell in the Seas, but to inhabite the heauens.
The Consul Fabatus, in thrée score yeares, whiche he liued, he neuer passed out of his citie Rhegio, to sée the citie of Mesana: which was distant by water but nine miles, and beeing demaunded in this case, why? he aunswered: The shippe is foolish, and vncerteine: for shée neuer standeth still. The Mariner is foolishe, and vncerteine: whiche is neuer of one iudgement. The water is foolishe, and vncerteine: for shée neuer ceasseth her vnquietnesse. The winde is foolishe, and vncerteine: whiche in her flight is so variable. And since this is so true, that shuning but one foole on land, howe wouldest thou that I should commend my life vnto foure fooles on Sea?
From a cleare iudgement, of a man of experience, of a wise Philosopher, and of a man of greate sapience, was this aunswere of the Consul Fabatus: for if wée profoundly consider the furious importunitie of the Aire, the rage and swelling of the Sea, the inconstancie of the shippe, the tedious trauell of the Mariner, and the discomfortable voyage of the passenger, as God shall saue mée, and so neuer more, let mée returne to Sea, if all that willingly goe to Sea in shippes, deserue not moste iustly to be bounde as distraught fooles.
What portion of wisedome may he conteine, which liueth in the Gallie? What thing maist thou more iustly sing in the Gallie, then that response or answere of the dead, which saieth: Memento mei, Deus, quià ventus est vita mea.
Is not winde perchaunce thy life? since thy chiefest businesse in the Gallie, is to talke of the winde, [Page] to beholde the winde, to wishe for winde, to tarrie for winde, to flie the winde, or saile with the winde?
Is winde perchaunce not thy life, that if it be contrarie, thou maist not goe thy voyage: if it blowe extreame, although large, yet must thou amaine: if it be calme, then must thou rowe: if it be a tempest, then must thou hale, or try for thy life: and if it blowe from land, then must thou not beléeue it: in such wise, that it shall be no false witnesse to saye, The winde be thy guide, since thy fortunate or vnfortunate life consisteth in the winde.
There is no man on lande, be he neuer so poore, that in a great necessitie obteineth not money to yelde him selfe reliefe: or children, to serue him: or friendes, to succour vnto: or parentes, to restore him: or assistantes, by whome to be supported: or neighboures, in whome to put his trust: Except the miserable person that goeth in the Gallie, who hath placed his life at the iudgement of a foolish Pilot, and of a contrarie winde.
Plutarche reporteth of the Philosopher Att [...]lus, who dwelling in the citie of Sparta, through the midds whereof ranne a greate riuer, woulde neuer passe the same, to viewe the rest of the citie all the dayes of his life: affirming, that the aire was made for birdes, the land for men, and the water for fishe. It is saide, that this Philosopher ieasting vsed to say: When I shall sée fishes walke on land, then will I go sailing at Sea.
Alcimenus liued ninetie yeares amongest the Epyrotes, vnto whome was lefte a certeine inheritance, which he would neuer accept, or as much as viewe the same, for that it lay on the other side of the riuer Marathon: affirming it to be a miserable inheritaunce, the profite whereof must be conueyed by water.
Marcus Portius Censorine, at the point of death, said, that in his life he had offended the Gods but thrée maner [Page] of wayes, which is to saye: for that there had passed one daye, wherein he had committed no vertuous act in the Common wealth: for that he had discouered a secreat of importance, vnto a woman: and for that, when he might haue trauelled on lande, he sailed as a passenger on Sea.
Cropilus Philosopher and disciple of Plato, commaunded the windowes of his house that were towardes the Sea, to be dammed vpp. The question being demaunded, why? he aunswered: To escape all delight to enter therein: for my maister Plato did ofte vse to say: That sailing at Sea was rather the exercise of fooles, then of Philosophers.
Titus Liuius saith, that his Romane people were not more happie on land, then vnfortunate on Sea [...] for whiche cause the auncient Romanes neuer consented to make or sende foorth Gallies or Nauies, from the time of the good Camillus, vnto the birth of the great Scipio.
When the Senate of Rome determined to make conquest of Asia, and to the same effect commaunded the Consul Cneius Fabricius to prouide a great nauie: with a lowde voice the Consul Fabius Torquatus exclamed: all men that heare mée, and the Gods that sée mée, I call to witnesse, that I am not, or doe consent, vnto this counsell, which is to wée to: that the fame & glorie that our mother Rome hath obteined by land, ye should committ vnto fierce waues of the Sea: because, to fight with men, is but Fortune: but to deale with windes, is great foolishnesse.
Wherefore, the worde of my Theame, séeme to be well saide, which is:
Of many and verie famous Pyrates which haue liued on Sea. The fourth Chapter.
SPeaking with trueth, and also with libertie, sailing in the Gallie alongst the coastes, is somewhat more safe, but in no lesse daunger, being ingulffed. Whereof it may verie well be gathered: that Gallies were rather inuented to robbe, then for nauigation.
Before the Gréeke Theseus inuented the making of Gallies, it is not found in any historie that y e Sea was haunted with any Pyrate or robber: but since the making of Gallies, there hath neuer wanted that hath descended to sacke townes, and also to robbe at the maine Sea.
If I be not deceiued, the ende wherefore any man maketh a Gallie, is either to defend his owne countrie, or else to offende straungers.
And as the Gallie is both tedious, and also costly, so I thincke not that any man imployeth therein his owne proper goods, but that he supposeth to susteine the same by other meanes substance.
And as there: haue béene many excellent persons, which haue béene renowmed by the conquest of countries, and subduing of people, by land: So haue there béene many much feared, and famous, for their robberies, which they haue committed on Sea.
The famous Pyrates of olde time, haue béene many: but amongest the rest, the moste r [...] wined was Dionides in the reigne of Alexander: Aeste [...], in the days of Demetrius: Cleonidas, in the time Ptolomeus: Chipandus, in the gouernement of Cyrus: Miltas, in [Page] the rule of Dionysius: Alcamenus, in the alteration if the estate committed by Caius Caesar: and Agathocles, in the happie yeares of the good Augustus.
To make an [...]ire report of the beginning [...] which these Pyrates had, the robberies they did, the perils they passed, the men murthered, the townes they subuerted, the cruelties they committed, the wealth they obteined, the endes they made, & the Fortunes wherein they finished, would growe verie large to reporte, & tedious to reade.
For the present, it shalbe sufficient to say, that none of these Pyrates dyed in their beddes, either made a will of their goods: but the houre being come of their sorrowfull destinies, they quited the mischiefes they had committed, and did not inioy the riches which by robberie they atteined.
And because it shall not séeme, that wee speake at large, or of fauour, somewhat wée will say of them.
Dionides was Pyrate in the Leuant Seas, in the reigne of Alexander and Darius, which woulde neither serue she one, or make peace with the other: but without respect of any person, made good price & hauoke of all things.
Against this Dionides, Alexander commaunded a greate fléete or nauie of shippes to be rigged: who being taken, and brought before his presence, Alexander saide: Tell mée Dionides, why hast thou escandalized the whole Sea? Who aunswering, saide: Wherefore hast thou sackte the whole earth, & robbed all the Sea? Alexander answered, because I am a King, but thou a Pyrate. Wherevnto Dionides replied: O Alexander, wée are both of one condition and office, but that they terme mée a Pyrate, because I affaile with a small armie: and thou arte intituled a Prince, because thou robbest with a greate Nauie. O that the [Page] Gods woulde growe milde with mée, and Fortune cruell against thée, in such wise, that Dionides might be Alexander, and Alexander turne to bée Dionides: it might happen mée to be a better Prince then thou, & thou a worsse Pyrate then I.
Aestelio was a Pyrate sixtéene yeares on the Adriatike Seas, in whiche he committed great robberies vppon the Bactries, and did great hurtes vnto them of Rhodes. Against this Pyrate King Demetrius caused a certeine fléete of shippes to bee rigged and launched: who beeing taken, and brought before his presence, was demaunded: Aestelio, what offence haue the inhabitants of Rhodes done against thée, that thou hast so robbed them? & the Bactries, that thou hast so subuerted them? Who answered: Tell mée Demetrius, what had my father done against thée, that thou shouldest commaund him to be slaine? And, what offence had I committed against thée, that thou shouldest command mée to be banished? I counsell thée, O Demetrius, in this last and extreme houre, that thou persecute no man to the vttermost: because it is not a little perillous, to deale extremely with any man that hath lost his honour, and is of desperate life.
Cleonidas was a Pyrate in the dayes of King Ptolomeus, who continued in that estate, trauersing the Seas xxii. yeares, of which he was neuer séene in seuen yeares, to set his foote out of the Gallie.
This Cleonidas was lame and crooked, whome Nature had not marked in vaine: for he was moste cruell with such as he had taken, and with any obserued no trueth.
The enimies whome this wretched Pyrate recouered into his handes, amongest other tormentes which he gaue them, their hands & féete being bound, he did feare them with ladels of hote oyle.
[Page]Against this Pyrate King Ptolomeus commaunded a fléete of shippes to be sett foorth, who being taken, and brought before his presence, the King saide vnto him: What barbarous inhumanitie, or rather, what infernall furie hath taught thée torments neuer heard of, to be practised vppon men like thy selfe?
Wherevnto Cleonidas aunswered: I will not onely torment mine enimies in their bodies, wherewith they did persecute mée, but also burne their entraile [...] wherewith they did hate mée. King Ptolomeus commaunded this Pyrate Cleonidas daily to be scalded with hote oyle, to increase his paine, by enlarging of his life.
The Pyrate Chipandas was natiue of Thebes, which did concurre with the dayes of King Cyrus, and was a person valiant, liberall, and of great power: for he obteined to possesse an hundred Gallies, and thirtie shippes, where with he forced seruice of all the Kingdomes of the East, and terrified all the Princes of the West.
Against this Chipandas King Cyrus commaunded a great nauie of shippes to be rigged foorth: who being taken and brought into the kinges presence, said vnto him: Thou Chipandas, receiuing my wages, why wentest thou to serue the king of Parthians? Who answering saide: The lawes whiche are made on lande, binde not such as go to saile and liue at Sea: and such as we vse on Sea, are not obserued on lande: which I saye, for that it is a custome amongest vs Pyrates, that wéee as ofte chaunge our Maister, as the winde chaungeth on Sea.
Miltas, the Pyrate, was in the dayes of the firste Dionysius of Syracus [...], who were great enimies, and striued, not for the souereigntie in vertue, but who should obteine the highest degrée in vice and wickednes: [Page] for that Dionysius subuerted all Sicilia, and Miltas sackt all Asia. This Pyrate Miltas trauersed the Seas of Asia more then thirtie yeares, in the ende the inhabitauntes of Rhodes armed certeine shippes against him, who beeing taken and brought vnto the place of execution, life vp his eyes to heauen, and said: O Neptune, the God of Seas, why doest thou not help mée at this instant? since I haue sacrificed within thy Seas, fiue hundred men, whose throtes I did cut with mine owne handes: fourtie thousande I cast ouer boorde, and thirtie thousand that haue died of diseases, and also twentie thousande which haue perished fighting in my Gallies. Is it nowe possible, that I which haue slaine so manie, should nowe be slaine of one onely man?
Alcamenus was Pyrate in the time of Silla & Marius, who followed the parcialitie of Silla: And as Caius Caesar fled from Silla, he was taken by Alcamenus, vnto whome ieasting he did vse to say, That he woulde get loose, and hang them all. And after, when Caius Caesar sawe him selfe Lorde of the Common wealthe, presently he commaunded a greate fléete to be armed and rigged against Alcamenus, who being taken and brought to the place of execution, saide: It grieueth mée not of all that whiche I haue lost, or of the death [...] which I shall dye: but to fall into his handes, whome I had in my possession: and that he should commaunde mée to be hanged, whome I might, and shoulde haue hanged.
As we haue saide of these fewe Pyrates: we might say also of others of greate antiquitie, and also of later time. But it sufficeth, that,
Of many and great priuileges which they haue in Gallies. The fifte Chapter.
SInce we haue spoken of the foundation and beginning of Gallies, and of the notable persons that were enemies of Nauigation, and also of the moste famous Pyrates that vowed themselues to thefte: wée will nowe say somewhat of the notable conditions of Gallies, and of the greate priuileges wherewith they are priuileged.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all manner persons which shall enter therein, must alwayes saile verie suspicious of Pyrates that shall take them, and no lesse timorous of the cruell Seas that shall drowne them: for there is no Sea so safe, wherein wandereth not some notable Pyrate: or absome time riseth not some cruell storme.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that for all men which shall enter and saile therein, before all things, must lose all libertie of commaundement, and ioyntly therewith, both Capteine, Patrone, and all the whole [...]roope of Mariners he must obey: and if he will there any thing presume of that which he hath, and of his value and worthinesse, the moste poore Rower shall say vnto him, that presently he be packing out of the Gallie, and goe to commaund at home in his house, in an euill houre.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, whether shée be of her owne condition, either straight or large, & of oares much pestered, and no lesse cumbred with other carriage: the passenger that shall enter therein may holde [Page] it for an aduise, onely to leane where he may, and not to sitt downe at his pleasure.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that the passenger which shall enter therein, be he neuer so worshipfull, riche, or stately, must call the Capteine, Seigniour: the Patrone, Cousin: the Boteswane, friend: and the pages of the Squiffe, brethren: and the rowers, companions. The cause procéedeth, that the passenger in the Gallie wanting all libertie, hath there of all persons necessitie.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all manner of persons, which there will enter or passe, must be humble of conuersation, patient in their spéeche, dissembling in their necessities, and of much suffering in iniuries: for that in Gallies, it is a thing more naturall to suffer iniuries, then either to doe or reuenge them.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all persons which there do enter, shall want the conuersation of women, of deintie diet, of fragrant wines, of comfortable and swéete smelles, of cold waters, and suche other delicacies: all which things they shal haue licenes to desire, but no facultie to obteine.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all manner persons which there do enter, shall eate ordinarie biske [...] with a condition, that it shalbe couered with Tapestrie of Cobwebs, blacke, worme eaten, ratt eaten, & also wett either more or lesse. And also I aduise the squint eyed passenger, that if he be not handsome, redily to take it out of the water: I bidde him to an euill feast.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if at any time, by descending on lande, the passenger shall obteine any small parcell of bread, that is newe, white, and well seasoned, that he aduenture not to féede of it him selfe alone, but to make diuision thereof amongest his companions: [Page] and it shall happen, that he alone being the onely buyer, shall obteine so much vnto his share, as may serue for a péece of holie bread.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that no man at dinner time, shall there demaunde water that is either cleare, colde, whoalsome, or swéete: but of force must content him selfe to drinke troubled, grosse, warme, & vnsauourie water: yet is it no lesse true, that vnto such as be verie nice, the Capteine giueth licence, that all the while they shalbe a drinking, with the one hande they may stoppe their nose, and with the other hande lift the pott vnto their head.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if any passenger betwixt meales would drinke a little, refreshe his face, or washe his mouth or handes: the water which he therfore néedeth, he must either craue it of the Capteine, or bribe the Stewarde, bring it from lande, or buy it of some Rower: for in the Gallie there is nothing more desired, and whereof is lesse aboundaunce, then water.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that no passenger shall presume to shed water in the poope, or much lesse aduenture to spitt therein. And he that shall herein be negligent or carelesse, the Capteine shall chide him, and the swéepers for a penaltie shal receiue sixe pence: in such wise wée controll no Mariners for spitting in our Church, and they make vs pay a tribute for spitting in their poope.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that the fleshe which they ordinarily shall eat, is ioynts of Goats, quarters of Shéepe, salt Béefe, & rustie Bacon, not boyled, but parboilde: not rosted, but burnt: in such wise, that being sett on table, it is lothesome to behold, harde as the diuell to gnawe on, salt as broyne to féede on, and indigestible as a stone.
[Page]It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if the passenger will eat any Mutton, Béefe, or Kidd that is freshe, hée must either buy it of the souldiers which haue stolne it, or aduenture on lande for it. And when he hath all done, is it true that he shall inioy it? No, truely: but he that shall flay off the skinne, of right must haue the skinne, the entrailes, and a quarter: and after, with the fleshe which remaineth, he shalbe charged with rosting and boyling, and commonly at large, with all persons to eate it.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that any person that would eate boyled meat, he must steale, bribe, or buy, and in time prouide a pott: which after he hath gotten, he him selfe must washe it, dresse it, scumme it, and also watche it: and to remoue from thence for no cause: for if otherwise, but with the turning of his head, another shall eate his boyled meate, and he shalbe lefte to make report of the iest.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that he neuer staye to dresse his meate vntil he haue an appetite, but when he may: for, as the pottes, pipkins, morters, caldrons, kettels, spittes, and grateyrons do compas the hearth, the passenger shall goe and come, as one poar-blinde: if first he haue not recouered friendshippe with the Cooke or Stewarde.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that the passenger y t will there féede in platters, with spoones, vppon trenchers, and with sawcers, that first therof he make prouision for him selfe, or bribe the steward, or hire them of some rower: and if he happen to be carelesse to prouide them, or negligent to procure them, the Capteine will friendly giue him licence, to cutt his meate vpon a boorde, and suppe his potage out of the pott.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if any passenger would eate with grauitie, that is to say, with cleane [Page] napkins, large towels, & table clothes, he must bring them not onely all ready bought, but as well kept: for a merchandize so cleanly, is séeldome found in Gallie: & if in this, as in the rest, he be forgetfull, he may with a safe conscience, as also with shame ynough, wipe on his shirte, and nowe and then on his beard.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that therein is no bench to lye on, no stoole to repose on, no windowe to leane on, neither boorde to feede on: but ioyntly therewith, that licence which they giue vnto the passenger which is dimme sighted, that harde by the hearth, he may eate on the floore as a More: or vpon his knées, as a woman.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that euery passenger, rower, mariner, seruaunt, ecclesiasticall, gentleman, or knight, may with a safe conscience, breake his fast without gréeue Figges, without Cherries: a beauer without Apricockes: a supper without Creame: and make collation after supper without gréene Almonds. If of these & such other refreshings, he shall happen to haue some appetite, or taken with an extreme lust: hee shall haue time sufficient to sigh: but all place & oportunitie wanting that should obteine the same.
Of other twentie trauels that are in the Gallies. The sixte Chapter.
IT is a priuilege of the Gallie, that on the day in which sayling ye shall passe a gulffe, or that soudenly any tempest do arrise, they kindle no fire, they dresse no meate, & that all passengers go vnder hatches: because to raise the mast, it is necessarie that the Gallie be frée, cleare, & not pestered: [Page] and it is moste true, at that instant and conflict, the confusion, noise, & cryes of the mariners giueth more terrour, then the rage and furie of the Sea.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all passengers which be Christians, and haue the feare of God, at the passage of any gulffe, or any other daunger, commend them selues vnto God, repent them of their sinnes, reconcile them selues with God & man, and make some vowes: all which thinges, and much more, is done at Sea: and after on lande, silde or neuer, is accomplished.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that when the Sea doth go aloft, the wind contrarie, or any furious tempest assaile, the Mariners are accustomed presently to bring home their anchore, they take in their Squiffe, take downe their hale, and vncouer the poope: then, wo be vnto thée, thou poore passenger, because thou shalte remaine at the mercie of the Sunne which shineth, & to receiue all water that shall raine.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that as often as the winde chaungeth, so ofte the saile is altered, and if it blowe much winde, they strike saile: and if it be more calme, they hoysse saile. And that wherein the passenger hath moste to imploy him selfe, is to lifte vp his eyes vnto the foresaile, lay his handes vnto the rope, and occupie his heart in the torment: for in the Gallie at Sea, there is no greater signe of daunger of life, then when the Mariners do often hoysse and strike the foresaile.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that no man presume to craue either féelde bed, shéetes of Holland, pillowes of downe, or Moriscoquilts: but ioyntly herewith, if the passenger be delicate, or be acrazed, the patrone will giue him licence, to sléepe vppon a boorde: and for a pillowe, to lay his head vppon a Target.
[Page]It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that no man, be he neuer so woorshipfull, may obteine a place assigned to walke in, or else to retire, neither at all times when he would to sitt downe: if any man desire, in the daye time, to bee sometimes in the poope, and to sléepe on nightes in some roome of Crossebowe shott, hee must first buy it of the Capteine by force of praying, and obteine it of the Boteswane for good money.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if any man néede to warme water, to make lée, or driue a buck, to wash his shirte, that he care not to attempt or to remember the same: but if he will be occasion for some to laughe, and others to scoffe and deride: But if his shirte bée somewhat foule or sweatie, and hath no chaunge, forceably he must haue patience, vntill he goe on lande, or by rottennesse to finish the same.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if any nice or curious passenger will néedes washe any handkerchife, headkerchife, towell, or any shirte for his owne person, that it be in no freshe or swéete, but salt water. And as the salt water doeth bréede ytch and scurffe, so the Capteine will giue him licence, and the Boteswane will allowe him place to rubbe his backe against the Mast, or séeke a Rower to scratch the same.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that no passenger shall be bound, or as much as to aduenture to pull off either hose or shooes, doublet, coate, or cloake, when he goeth to sléepe: because the poore passenger hath allowance of no better bed in all the Gallie, then the garments which he shall weare.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that the beddes which there are made for passengers and Rowers, haue no appointed head or féete, but that they lye down, where they may, and as it shall chaunce, & not as they would: which is to wéete, that the one night, where they shall [Page] lay their heads, the next night to place their féete. And if by chaunce his companion haue eaten Chestnuttes, or supped with Radishe, and so shall let flye, you vnderstand mée what: Good friend, thou must make thy reckoning, that thou diddest dreame it, and neuer report that euer thou heardest it.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all fleas that leape vppon the hatches, and all lice that bréede in seames, and all cheslockes that walke in chinkers, be common vnto all men, and be diuided and parted amongest all men: and if any person which is fine and nice, shall appeale from this priuilege: from thencefoorth I prophesie, that if he make but a secrete inquirie, in his necke and bosome, and a priuie searche in his bréeches, he shall finde more lice, then money in his pursse.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all the Rattes, and Wezels therin, both dare and haue libertie, when they may, without any penaltie, to steale from passengers, napkins, and fine Sendall, silke girdles, olde shirtes, fine Coyffes, and also perfumed gloues: And all the same to hide to sléepe in, to bréede in, & to bring vp their young ones, and also to gnawe on when they want meate. And brother passenger, maruell not when thou féelest, that sometime they do bite thée: for that when I passed betwixt Tunes and Sicil, they did at one time bite mée by the legge, and another time by the eare: and as I had sworne to the priuileges of the Gallie, I made no boast thereof.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that the bread, the chéese, the wine the bacon, the fleshe and fishe whiche thou shalt prepare for thy prouision, thou must giue thereof vnto the Capteine, Boteswane, Pylott, Mariners, and to him that is at helme. And as concerning [Page] that which remaineth, holde it for certeine, the dogges will haue a catche, the Cattes will haue a snatche, the Rattes will gnawe, the Stewards will tythe, and the Rowers will steale: in such wise, that if thou be a little dimme sighted, and not verie well aduised, the prouision whiche thou madest for a Moneth, will hardly last thée tenne dayes.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if the Billowe do somewhat roll, or the tempest rise, or the Gallie passing some race, thy heart will be dismaide, thy head growe ydle, thy stomache wamble, thine eyes waxe dimme, thou beginnest to belche, and discharge thy stomache of all which thou hast eaten, & also ly downe vppon the hatches: and thinke not that any of the beholders will holde thy head, or cherrishe thée with a cawdle: but they all at deathes doore with laughing will say, it is nothing, but that the Sea will make a proofe of thée: thou being at point of thy last gaspe, and also in vtter desperation.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if any passenger will at some time refreshe him selfe on lande, recouer a Canne of water, or séeke or buy freshe victuals, or with others strike an hande, as a Frier, hee must aske leaue of the Capteine, and intreate the Boateswane to arme the Squiffe: he must flatter the pages to sett him on lande, and promise them somewhat to tarrie for him: and giue money vnto him that vppon his shoulders shall carrie him out of the water: And if for the wickednesse of his sinnes, he bee not readie to embarke at the firste sounde of the retreate, the Gallie shall make saile, and he shall remaine on lande to be hanged by the Iustice.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that euery passenger y t will purge his bellie, is forced to y e cōmon places of the [Page] forecastell: or else to climbe and stay by some loope hole for the Crossebowes: and that which may not be saide, much lesse done without shame, all men may so openly beholde him, sitting at his necessities, as if he sate banquetting at the table.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that no man presume to craue to drinke in plate, in glasse of Venice, or pitcher of Barcelona, or nutt of the Indies: in such a case, if the passenger haue not prouided a cuppe or pitcher, wherein to drinke, the Capteine will dispense with him, that in a spoone of woode, (wherewith the Rower eateth his potage,) they will giue him to drinke a little water.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that neither Capteine, Pursser, Patrone, Pylot, Rower, or passenger may hold, kéepe, or hide any wife of his own, or others, married or at large, but that of all persons in the Gallie shée shalbe séene, knowen, and also serued of more then twaine: and if any there doe aduenture to passe, they are rather louers of charitie then of chastitie: and sometimes it chanceth that some wretch hath brought her to his great cost. And shée of her owne courteous condition yeldeth pleasure vnto many.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that fréely a Frier of Sainct Benet, Sainct Basil, Sainct Austine, Sainct Frauncis, Sainct Dominicke, Sainct Hierome, Carmelite, Trinitarie, and Mercenarie, may goe therein: and to the ende, that such religious men, may go there with safe conscience, the Capteines and Purssers doe beare them in hande, that they haue obteined a Bull, to be diuested of their habite, coules, crownes, girdles, and scapularies, & in the place of Breuiaries or Portasses, they place in their handes oares to learne to rowe, and to forgett to pray.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that the ordinarie [Page] neighbours, and fraternitie therof, are false witnesses, pyrates, théeues, traitors, men whipt and mangled, adulterers, homicides, and blasphemers: in such maner, that vnto him that demaundeth what is a Gallie? we may aunswere, It is a certeine prison of the wicked, and a scourge to all passengers.
Of other greater trauels and perils, whiche they passe that goe in Gallies. The vij. Chapter.
IT is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all the Purssers, Patrones, Pilots, Mariners, Counsellers, Pages, Helme men, Swéepers, and Rowers, may aske, take, bribe and also steale from the poore passengers, bread, wine, fleshe, bacon, chéese, fruit, shirtes, shoes, capps, cotes, dublets, girdles, and clokes: & also if the passenger be somewhat poare blind, and hath not his purse tied fast vnto his arme: let him make a reckoning that he forgate it in Ciuil.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that that whiche is once lost, forgotten, lent, or stolen, the right owner may safely yeld vp his accompt, that for euermore he hath lost the fight thereof: and if by the force of intreating, and not without money, the Boteswane do procéede for search thereof, and in termes to find the same: let the looser be assured, that y e théefe with his vnshamefastnes will much rather cast it ouer boord, then with safe conscience make restitution.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that when they goe on land for water, or fetche wood, if by chaunce they finde any lambe, or stumble on a cow, méete with any [Page] shéepe, encounter with a goate, or light vpon any hog, goose, henne, pigge, or pullet, without all wambling of stomache, or scruple of conscience, they take and kill them in the Gallie, as if in the market place they had bought them.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that when the souldiers, the Rowers, the Barbarous, & also passengers, goe on land néere vnto some riche or wealthie place, there are no woodes which they hew not, no hiues whiche they doe not vnemptie, no doue house whiche they view not, no game which they hunt not, no garden or orchard which they do not ransacke, no maide or woman whom they doe not violate, boy which they steale not, slaue whom they remoue not, vineyard which they gather not, bacon that they vnhange not, either garment whiche they beare not away: in such wise, that in an hard yeare the frost, haile, and grashopper, doe not execute so great harmes, or commit so great cruelties, as they of the Gallie do performe in one halfe day.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if any bankrupt, quareller, periuror, ruffin, robber, théefe, or murtherer, be once there placed, no Iustice maye there enter to make searche, or any person whiche is offended, to accuse: and if any such, through the wickednesse of his owne sinnes, doe once enter, either they set him to the oare, or applie him to some miserable vse: in such wise, that in the Gallies it is, where good men be cast away, and euil defended.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that therein they haue libertie to liue in the lawe wherein they were borne, which is to say, married, vnmarried, Nonnes, Monkes, Friers, Priestes, Heremites, Gréekes, Indians, Heretiques, Moores, and Iewes: in such wise, that without any scruple on Fridayes, ye shall behold the Moores make feasting, and the Iewes on the Saturday [Page] kéepe holiday.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that if any poore passenger would carrie to sea, any chest with victuals or apparel, or any trusset with bedding, or barrellet with wine, or pitcher of water, he must hold it for most certeine, that for the Capteines consent, the Rowers for carriage, y e Purssers for registring, & the Stewards for kéeping, some wil haue money, and others be serued: & in this case they are not satisfied with that, whiche you would giue: but that they must beare away, all that, whiche they demaunde. For my selfe, I maye safely sweare, that in our last voyage with our great Caesar, in the portes of Barcellona, Mallorca, Menorca, Sardinia, Lagoleta, Callar, Pallermo, Micina, Riioles, Naples, Saicta, Ciuita Vicia, Genoua, Nissa, Freuil, Tholou, and the dead waters: I had more trouble, and spent more money, with imbarkage and disimbarkage of horses, mules, seruauntes and prouision, then euer I passed, or would haue thought in all my life.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that at the time of lading or disimbarkage, of the poore passenger they take accompt of his money, they open his chestes, they take view of his stuffe, they rippe his packets, and take custome for all the same: and if the passenger be poare-blind, or somwhat squinteyed, they will not only take the right eye, but also the left.
And for that it shall not séeme, that we speake at large, I sweare by the lawe of an honest man, that for the custome of a catt, whiche I brought from Rome, at Barcellona, they did take halfe a Riall.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that vpon the waters there is no Gallie so perfect, sufficient, or so furnished, that in her is not some want, or defection. whiche is to say, that either she is weake of timber, old, heauie, a slug of saile, not armed, open, leaketh much water, or is vnfortunate: [Page] in such wise, that notwithstanding she be furnished with the best Patrone, or chiefest Capteine, there is alwayes in her, more to be wished, then to be praised.
It is a priuilege of y e Gallie, that neither on Christmas or Sabboth day, the Rowers and passengers cease not to play, steale, blaspheme, trauell, or saile: for that Feasts and Sabbothes in the Gallies be not onely vnobserued: neither doe they knowe when they fall.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, to be obliuious of all dayes and times of abstinence, for that their godly deuotion to fast is neuer moued, but by some extreame necessitie and want of victuals.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that neither mariners, rowers, aduenturers, or any other officers, haue any care, or make any conscience of Religion, or any parte thereof: but onely that good part of a Christian which remaineth in them, is: that in a dangerous torment, they begin to pray, to sighe, and wéepe: which being once past, they sit downe at great leasure to eate, talke, play, fish, and also to curse: recompting vnto ech other, the dangers that were past, and the vows which they had made.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all neighbours, inhabitants, and passengers therein, stand discharged, of all customes, portage, loanes, tributes, subsidies, pensions, tenthes, and first fruites, either to the king or Churche: as also discharged of all excommunication, for any offence whatsoeuer. And when in iest I demaunded a testimoniall of their confessions, presently they would shew me a paire of cardes: affirming that in that holy fraternitie, their chiefest religion was to play, curse, and sweare.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that none which shal there happen to die, shall be bound to be innoyled, or [Page] pay for ringing of bels, either to the priest for his burial, either building of his sepulchre, either to the friers for their diriges, either to the poore for carrying of torches, either sowing of his winding shéete: because the miserable, which there once dieth, shal scarcely yéelde his spirite to God, when they shal hurle the bodie vnto the fishes.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that there all manner persons doe eate flesh in Lent, in Vigils, and all other dayes forbidden: and question béeing demaunded of their want of shame or of conscience, they aunswere, That since all maner persons on land, doe aduenture to eate fishe which procéedeth from the Sea, vpon any daye: by the same reason it is conuenient for them, to eate flesh at any time, that commeth from the land.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that all bread, wine, bacon, powdred flesh, chéese, butter, raisons, bisket, dishes, and pots, which shal remaine vnto any passenger of his prouision, to leaue all vnto the Gallie at his departing vnto land: in such wise, that they neuer cease to take the surplusage: and in time of necessitie, to relieue alwayes, not so much as with a raison.
It is a priuilege of the Gallie, that euery passenger that presumeth of Gentrie, courtesie, or shamefastnes, to gratifie the Capteine, to imbrace the stewarde, to speake vnto the Pilot, to take his leaue of the whole companie, to reward the swéepers, to giue somewhat to the helme man, and also to haue remembrance of the pages of the squiffe: all whiche if he doe not performe, they wil yéeld him a cruel departure, and wil not afterwards accept him into that Gallie.
But the conclusion is, that notwithstanding their priuileges are many, notable, and extreme, we alwayes affirme, and confirme with the wordes of our Theame, which is to say:
Of a certeine subtile discretion of the sea, and of her perillous properties. The viii. Chapter.
SOmewhat béeing said of the priuileges and conditions of the Gallie, now let vs say somewhat of the nature of the sea: for that it is no smal errour to commende oure life vnto him, whose vertuous conditions, or cruel inclinatiō is to vs vnknowen.
To the ende we maye vnderstand the déedes of the sea, consider the name wherewith she is indued: since this her name, Mare, importeth none other thing but bitternes: because her water is very bitter, but her condition most bitter.
The sea is not so well conditioned, that any man should aduenture to enter the same, of will, but of necessitie: because that man which saileth, except it be to the discharge of his conscience, or defence of his honour, or to support his liuing: I say and affirme, that such a one is either vnaduised, or detesteth his life, or els they hold him as a foole, or as one distraught of his wittes.
The sea is delectable to behold, and perillous to passe.
The sea deceiueth no man, but once: for whome she once deceiueth, shal neuer more complaine of her.
The sea is a Mine, where many be inriched: and a Cemetorie where infinite people are buried.
The sea, if she like, doeth suffer to be sailed with a planke: and if she be enraged, she consenteth not a Carrecke [Page] to endure her.
The sea resembleth a foole, for that she altereth euery quarter of the Moone: and maketh no difference betwixt a king and a plough man.
The sea suffereth neither fooles nor sluggardes: because it chiefly agréeth with all such as wander therein, to be of great life in their busines, and most diligent in their Nauigation.
The sea is a cloake for sinners, and a refuge for malefactours: for in her, there is none waged for their vertue, or reiected for their wickednesse.
The sea dissembleth with the vicious, but liketh not to be inhabited with cowards: for he entreth her limits to smal & very euill purpose, that is a coward to fight, and timorous in sayling.
The sea is very malicious, and alwayes to be considered by her contraries: for that in calme, she prepareth a tempest: and in time of tempest, she prepareth a calme.
The sea is affectionate to some, and appassionate with others: for if she like, to one she susteyneth life xx. yeares, and another she depriueth the first day.
The sea is a great enimie to al things that susteine humane life: because her fishe is flegmatike, her aire importune, her water salt, her humour hurtfull, & her sailing perillous.
The sea of as many as saileth in her, holdeth none contented: for she yéeldeth their bodies tyred with the grossenes of their life: and their heartes alwayes in great carefulnes of some perillous tempest.
The sea of her owne condition maketh all stomaches hungrie, but we may wel pardon her the appetite whiche she giueth to eate, through the force which she vseth to make vs cast our gorge.
The sea entiseth or deceiueth any man, to the end [Page] to enter or to commit trust vnto her: for vnto all men she discouereth the monstruousnes of her fish, the profunditie of her depths, the swelling of her seas, the contrarietie of her windes, the crueltie of her rockes, and fiercenes of her tormentes: in such wise, that such as be there lost, be not cast away for want of aduisement: but for certeine great dizards.
The sea suffereth her selfe of all men to be séene, to be fished, and to be sailed, but ioyntly therewith, she remoueth all iurisdiction from all men, and from all sufficient power to chaunge her condition. We say no more in this case, but that:
Of the thinges which the passenger hath to prouide, when he entereth the Gallie. The ix. Chapter.
SOmewhat being said of the priuileges of the Gallie, and of the conditions of the sea: there remaineth not, but to speake of the necessarie prouision for Nauigation: for it sufficeth not that the passenger be aduertised of all thinges, from which he hath to saue himselfe: but that also he enter prouided of all things necessarie.
It is a conuenient counsel for euery man that goeth to sea, either in ship or Gallie, not as an Infidel, but as a Christian to commend himselfe vnto God: for that the sailer leadeth his life in as great hazarde, as if he should enter into a set battel.
[Page]Also it is a conuenient counsell, that all manner persons, before they enter the Sea, do make their will, declare their debtes, accomplishe with their creditours, repart their goods, and reconcile them selues with their enimies, because they may afterwards happen to finde them selues in so terrible a storme, that for all the treasure of this worlde, they would not be burdened with any scruple of conscience.
It is a conuenient counsell, for the curious passenger, either sailer, tenne or fiftéene dayes before he goe aboorde, to clense and euacuate his bodie, either with Rossid, Honnie, Rosa Alexandrina, good Canafistula, or else with some perfect Pill: for that naturally the Sea vseth more pitie with emptie stomaches, then with such as are repleate & oppressed with yll humors.
It is a conuenient counsell, and no vnsounde aduise, to saile in a Gallie of newe timber, and that the Thoughtes thereof be worne smoothe: for at the doubling of a point, passing any race or gulffe, or inuesting with another Gallie, or at the chace of an armie, or in some furious storme, the newe Gallie is more light and nimble to bee gouerned both with saile and oares, and best doth saue her selfe at Sea, & the smoothnesse of the Thoughtes helpeth much in rowing.
Also it is sounde counsell, that before the passenger do imbarke, he goe to visite and talke with the Capteine, and to vse him with faire termes, and no lesse courtesie: which is to wéete, if hee be aboorde, to sende him some refreshing: and if on land, to banquet him, or to accompanie him: for as the Capteines of Gallies desire winde, goe with the winde, liue with the winde, saile with the winde, alwayes there cleaueth vnto them some tache of the winde: wherewith they will of their friendes be honoured, of their enimies feared, and of their passengers serued.
[Page]It is sounde counsell, that at the instant hee shall enter the Gallie, he frame friendship with the Steward and Boteswane, to haue licence to walke on hatches, with some rower to attende him, & to make him neate: with the Pylote, to accept him: with the Iustice, for his fauour: with the Cooke, for his fire: with the swéepers, for attendaunce in the poope: with the pages, to rowe him to lande: for if he holde them not all well pleased, he is entred into the Gallie verie euil appointed.
It is also conuenient counsell, before he be imbarked, that he make him some garment, that is strong and well furred, more profitable then comely: wherewith he may without losse, vppon hatches, lye downe in the Crossebowe roome, climbe into the poope, go on lande, defende him selfe from heate, succour him selfe from raine, and also at night to vse it for his bedd: for that, garmentes in the Gallie, ought rather to serue for profite, then honour.
It is conuenient counsell, that the curious and delicate passenger, doe make his prouision of some halfe bed, of a doubled shéete, of a little mantell, and no more but one pillowe: for, any man to carrie an whole and a greate bed into the Gallie, is to giue occasion vnto some to deride, and vnto others to laugh: for on the day time, there is no place to lay it, and at night much lesse to spread and make it.
It is sounde counsell, that for his prouision he haue white biskett, olde Bacon, good cheese, powdered béefe, and also some fatt hennes: for these, and suche other thinges, he may not be excused to buy, that goeth to Sea.
It is sounde counsell, that the worshipfull passenger make his prouision of some Barrell, Butt, or Skinne of good white wine of a yeare olde, cleare, [Page] and fragrant: whereof, after he hath discharged his gorge, he shall more estéeme one droppe, then at another time an whole Barrell: and further, the sauour thereof shall reforme his stomache, and the smell comfort his head.
It is conuenient counsell, for him that woulde eate cleanly, to be prouided of some towell, napkin, pott, pitcher, and cuppe: because these trifles are sildome solde in Gallies, and much lesse borrowed.
It is sounde counsell, especially for that person, which is poareblinde, that if he carrie any chest with prouision, any Male with armour, any Barrell with wine, any packe with garmentes, or any Caskett with writinges, presently that he cause the Capteine to sée it, the Pursser to register it, and the Steward to saue it: for that in the Gallie, for scruple of conscience they leaue not from a néedle vpwardes.
It is sound counsell, that he do verie well consider with whome he is conuersant, with whome he entereth, in whome he trusteth, with whome he speaketh, and also with whome he playeth: for, in the Gallie they are so handsome, and aduised, that if they finde the passenger but a little wittlesse, there shall not want thrée, which by playing bootie, shall prouide him a release of all his money.
It is a conuenient counsell, that at the instant in which he is imbarked, he importune the Capteine, request the Stewarde, intreate the Iustice, and recouer friendshippe with some rower: to the ende, that if he may not obteine place in the poope, or be admitted to some cabinet, at the least to assigne him to some crossebowe roome: for, if he be dull or negligent in these cases, let him holde it for certeine, and also condemned, that in the day he shall not finde where to sitt, muche lesse at night where to lodge.
[Page]It is conuenient counsell, for the passenger, that presumeth either of wisedome, or honestie, to procure bookes, both good and pleasaunt, and some of prayers as matter of deuotion: for of thrée exercises which are vsed at Sea, which is to wéete, playe, talke, and reade, the moste profitable and least hurtfull is reading.
It is conuenient counsell, that the passenger before he be imbarked, do prouide hookes, lines, bayte, and canes: that when they are becalmed, or lying in any roade, or placed behinde some rocke, or the forecastell being thrust alande: to drawe foorth his trinkets, and settle him selfe to take fishe: since in fishing he shall take recreation, and greate sauour in the eating: for his minde peace and quietnesse, and for his pursse much more profite it is, to be fishing in the forecastell, then at dice in the poope.
Also it is sounde counsell, that the nice passenger make his prouision, of raisons, figges, almondes, diacitron, dates, comfites, and other delicate conserues: for, when the Sea rolleth aloft, and the torment increaseth, belches be practising, to cast the gorge, and discharge the stomache, the eyes growe dimme, and the appetite is lost: if in that conflict the poore passenger be vnprouided of some comfortable conserue, I commaund him some harde aduenture.
Also it is conuenient counsell, not to be vnprouided of a bunche of garlike, of a rope of onyons, a bottle of vineger, a barrelet of oyle, and also of a boxe of salte: for, notwithstanding they be rusticall meates, and not delicate for saylers, or licorishe to be stolen. And further and besides all this, it may happen that of soppes, water, salte, and oyle, there may be made a slampamp or an hotchepotch, that at some other time, shall excéede a Capon in taste.
Also it is conuenient counsell, that euery discréete [Page] passenger prouide him selfe of corked pantophels, double soled shoes, of Mariners sloppes, of close hunting cappes, and of foure or fiue cleane shirts: because Sea water is of such a qualitie, and the Gallie of suche indisposition, that first thou shalte foule them all, before thou shalt washe one.
Also it is sound counsell, chiefely for nice & delicate stomaches, to prouide them selues of perfumes, as of Beniamine, Storax, Amber, Aloes, or of Pomander of some speciall good confection: for it many times happeneth, that the Pumpe yeldeth so cruell a stenche, that onely it dismaith not, but also constraineth to discharge the stomache.
It is also a profitable and necessarie counsell, that euery passenger do carefully consider, to haue his stomach alwayes in temper, and not ouercharged with meates or drinkes: that is to say, to eate little, and drinke lesse: for if on lande it be vnhonest, at Sea much more, and daungerous in tempest, to eate vntill he belche, and drinke vntill he cast.
And because it shall not séeme, that wée speake at large, passing the gulffe of Narbona in a greate tempest, there was in my Gallie, a gluttonous dronkard, whiche at two belches cast vp his meate, and with the thirde he did yeld vp his soule.
Also it is sound counsell, and of experience, that to defende the stomache from the sickenesse of the Sea: a paper of Saffron be placed vppon the brest, neare vnto the heart, and in the furie of the tempest to kéepe him selfe both warme and quiet: wherevppon he may be assured, that his stomach shall neither wamble, nor his head growe giddie.
In all the nauigation which we had with my Lord and maister Caesar, when he attempted the conquest of the greate Tunes in Africa, these rules I vsed, whiche [Page] did yeelde mée my life: I say, the life of the bodie: because the life of the soule, is giuen vs in that glorie, Ad quam nos perducat Iesus Christus filius Dei, qui cum patre & spiritu sancto viuit & regnat in secula seculorum. Amen.
Jmprinted at London, for Ralfe Newberrie, dwelling in Fleete stréete, a litle aboue the Conduit.
1578.