ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1553- 



tract of the world. For which cause two Tartarians, 



which were then of the kings Stable, were sent for, & 

 an interpreter was gotten to be present, by whom they 

 were demaunded touching their Countrey and the maners 

 of their nation. But they were able to answere nothing 

 to the purpose : being in deede more acquainted (as 

 one there merily and openly said) to tosse pottes, then 

 to learne the states and dispositions of people. But 

 after much adoe and many things passed about this 

 matter, they grewe at last to this issue, to set downe 

 and appoynt a time for the departure of the shippes : 

 because divers were of opinion, that a great part of 

 the best time of the yeere was already spent, and if 

 the delay grewe longer, the way would bee stopt and 

 bard by the force of the Ice, and the colde climate : 

 and therefore it was thought best by the opinion of 

 them all, that by the twentieth day of May, the Captaines 

 They departed and Mariners should take shipping, and depart from 

 from RatcHffe Radcliffe upon the ebbe, if it pleased God. They 

 M 2 °' °* having saluted their acquaintance, one his wife, another 

 his children, another his kinsfolkes, and another his 

 friends deerer then his kinsfolkes, were present and 

 ready at the day appoynted : and having wayed ancre, 

 they departed with the turning of the water, and sailing 

 [I. 245.] easily, came first to Greenewich. The greater shippes 

 are towed downe with boates, and oares, and the mariners 

 being all apparelled in Watchet or skie coloured cloth, 

 rowed amaine, and made way with diligence. And being 

 come neere to Greenewich, (where the Court then lay) 

 presently upon the newes therof, the Courtiers came 

 running out, and the common people flockt together, 

 standing very thicke upon the shoare : the privie 

 Counsel, they lookt out at the windowes of the Court, 

 and the rest ranne up to the toppes of the towers : the 

 shippes hereupon discharge their Ordinance, and shoot 

 off their pieces after the maner of warre, and of the 

 sea, insomuch that the tops of the hilles sounded there- 

 with, the valleys and the waters gave an Eccho, and 



244 



