AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



c. 1580. 



tooke the cup out of the hand of the Patriarke, and 

 having drunke the water, within halfe an houre burst a 

 sunder. And the Patriarke had none other hurt, save 

 that he became somewhat pale in sight, and so remained 

 ever after. And this miracle (which meriteth to be called 

 no lesse) was done to the great commendation of the holy 

 Patriarke in the presence of a thousand persons, and 

 namely of the Soldan of Egypt : who seeing the despight 

 of the Jewes, unto their owne cost and confusion com- 

 pelled them to make the conduct, which with so many 

 engines commeth into the castle from Nilus above 

 mentioned. And this triumphant Patriarke not long 

 since was alive, and in perfect health, which God continue 

 long time. 



[II. i. 203.] Of the preparation of the Carovan to goe to 



Mecca. 



AS touching the Carovan which goeth to Mecca, it 

 is to be understoode, that the Mahumetans observe 

 a kinde of lent continuing one whole moone, and being 

 a moveable ceremonie, which sometimes falleth high, 

 sometimes lowe in the yeere called in their tongue 

 Ramazan, and their feast is called Bairam. During this 

 time of lent all they which intende to goe unto Mecca 

 resort unto Cairo, because that twentie dayes after the 

 feast the Carovan is readie to depart on the voyage : and 

 thither resort a great multitude of people from Asia, 

 Grecia, and Barbaria to goe on this voyage, some mooved 

 by devotion, and some for traffiques sake, and some to 

 passe away the time. Nowe within fewe dayes after the 

 feast they which goe on the voyage depart out of the citie 

 two leagues unto a place called Birca, where they expect 

 the Captaine of the Carovan. This place hath a great 

 pond caused by the inundation of Nilus, and so made, 

 that the camels and other beastes may drinke therein : 

 whereof, namely, of Mules, Camels, and Dromedaries 

 there are at least fortie thousand, and the persons which 

 followe the Carovan everie yeere are about fiftie thousand, 



340 



