AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1592. 



their anker they went a shore, and kindled fiers (for 

 it is very likely that the Mariners were not a litle 

 vexed with the nipping cold which they felt at sea) and 

 so provided victuals for the rest of their journy. 

 But when their fires grew very hote, this Hand sanke, 

 and suddenly vanished away, and the Mariners escaped 

 drowning very narowly with the boate that was present. 

 This is the foundation of the matter, but how incredible 

 it is, I appeale to the Reader. But what ailed these 

 Mariners, or what meant they to doe, who in a tem- 

 pestuous sea, seeing a rocke before their eyes, or (as 

 Munster saieth) a little Hand, would not rather with all 

 diligence have avoided it for feare of running a shore 

 and shipwracke, then to rest in such a dangerous har- 

 bour ? But in what ground should the anker be fastened? 

 for Mariners for the most part are destitute of such 

 long cables, whereby they may let downe an anker to 

 the bottom of the maine sea, therefore upon the backs 

 of Whales, saith Munster. But then they had need 

 first to bore a hole for the flouke to take hold in. O 

 silly Mariners, that in digging cannot discern Whales 

 flesh from lumps of earth, nor know the slippery skin 

 of a Whale from the upper part of the ground : without 

 doubt they are woorthy to have Munster for a Pilot. 

 Verily in this place (as likewise before treating of the 

 land-miracles of Island) he gathereth fruits as they say, 

 out of Tantalus his garden, and foloweth hard after 

 those things which will never and no where be found, 

 while he endevoureth to proule here and there for 

 miracles, perusing sea and land to stufFe up his history : 

 where notwithstanding he cannot hunt out ought but 

 feigned things. 



But they are called in their language Trollwal. Go 

 not farther then your skil, Munster, for I take it you 

 cannot skill of our tongue : and therefore it may be 

 a shame for a learned man to teach others that which he 

 knoweth not himselfe : for such an attempt is subject 

 to manifold errours, as we will shew by this your example. 



138 



