A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



c. 1580. 



journey when neede requireth : and during the voyage 

 their office is some whiles to goe before with the fore- 

 warde, sometimes to come behinde with the rereward, 

 sometimes to march on the one side, and sometimes on 

 the other, to spy, that the coast be cleare. The Carovan 

 carrieth with it sixe pieces of ordinance drawen by 12 

 camels, which serve to terrifie the Arabians, as also to 

 make triumph at Mecca, and other places. The mar- 

 chants which followe the Carovan, some carry for 

 marchandise cloth of silke, some Corall, some tinne, 

 others wheat, rise, and all sorts of graine. Some sell 

 by the way, some at Mecca, so that every one bringeth 

 something to gaine by, because all marchandise that goeth 

 by land payeth no custome, but that which goeth by 

 sea is bound to pay tenne in the hundred. 



The beginning of the voyage. 



THe feast before the Carovan setteth forth, the 

 Captaine with all his retinue and officers resort unto 

 the castle of Cairo before the Basha, which giveth unto 

 every man a garment, and that of the Captaine is wrought 

 with golde, and the others are served according to their 

 degree. Moreover he delivereth unto him ye Chisva 

 Talnabi, which signifieth in the Arabian tongue, The 

 garment of the Prophet : this vesture is of silke, wrought 

 in the midst with letters of gold, which signifie : La ilia 

 ill' alia Mahumet Resullala : that is to say. There are no 

 gods but God, and his ambassadour Mahumet. This 

 garment is made of purpose to cover from top to botome 

 a litle house in Mecca standing in the midst of the 

 Mesquita, the which house (they say) was builded by 

 Abraham or by his sonne Ismael. After this he de- 

 livereth to him a gate made of purpose for the foresaid 

 [II i. 204.] house of Abraham wrought all with fine golde, and 

 being of excellent workmanship, and it is a thing of great 

 value. Besides, he delivereth unto him a covering of 

 greene velvet made in maner of a pyramis, about nine 

 palmes high, and artificially wrought with most fine golde, 



342 



