A.D. 



1592. 



Frisius. 

 Zieglerus. 

 Olaus magnus. 



[I. 562.] 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



The eight section. 

 Neare unto the mountaines (the 3. fornamed Hecla &c.) 

 there be three vaste holes, the depth whereof, 

 especially at mount Hecla, cannot be discerned by any 

 man, be he never so sharpe sighted : but there 

 appeare to the beholders thereof certaine men at that 

 instant plunged in, & as yet drawing their breath, 

 who answere their friends (exhorting them with deepe 

 sighs to returne home) that they must depart to 

 mount Hecla : and with that, they suddenly vanish 

 away. 



TO confirme the former lie, of an earthly & visible 

 hell (albeit I will easily grant that Frisius in writing 

 these things did not entend to reproch any, but only to 

 blaze abroad new & incredible matters) certaine idle com- 

 panions knowing neither hell nor heaven have invented 

 this fable, no lesse reprochfull then false, and more vaine 

 & detestable then Sicilian scoiFes. Which fellowes these 

 writers (being otherwise men of excellent parts, and to 

 whom learning is much indebted) have followed with 

 an over hastie judgement. 



But it were to be wished, that none would write 

 Histories with so great a desire of setting foorth 

 novelties & strange things, that they feare not, in that 

 regard to broch any fabulous & old-wives toyes, & so to 

 defile pure gold with filthy mire. But I pray you, how 

 might those drowned men be swimming in the infernal 

 lake, & yet for al that, parking with their acquaintance 

 & friends? What? Will you conjure, & raise up unto 

 us from death to life old Orpheus conferring with his 

 wife Euridice (drawen backe againe down to the Stigian 

 flood) & in these parts of the world, as it were by the 

 bankes of snowey Tanais, & Hebrus descanting upon 

 his harpe? But in very deed although others will not 

 acknowledge the falshood, & vanity of these trifles, yet 

 Cardane being a diligent considerer of all things in his 

 18. booke de subtilitate, doth acknowledge & find them 



120 



