THE PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA ad. 



c. 1580. 

 and this is to cover the tombe of their prophet within 

 Medina, which tombe is built in manner of a pyramis : 

 and besides that covering there are brought many others 

 of golde and silke, for the ornament of the sayde tombe. 

 Which things being consigned, the Basha departeth not 

 from his place ; but the Captaine of the Carovan taketh 

 his leave with all his officers and souldiers, and departeth 

 accompanied with all the people of Cairo orderly in 

 manner of a procession, with singing, shouting and a 

 thousand other ceremonies too long to recite. From the 

 castle they goe to a gate of the citie called Bab-Nassera, 

 without the which standes a Mosquita, and therein they 

 lay up the sayd vestures very well kept and guarded. 

 And of this ceremony they make so great account, that 

 the world commeth to see this sight, yea the women 

 great with childe, and others with children in their armes, 

 neither is it lawfull for any man to forbid his wife the 

 going to this feast, for that in so doing the wife may 

 separate her selfe from her husband, and may lie with any 

 other man, in regard of so great a trespasse. Now this 

 procession proceeding from the castle towardes the Mos- 

 quita, the Camels which bring the vestures are all adorned 

 with cloth of golde, with many little belles, and passing 

 along the streete you may see the multitude casting upon 

 the said vestures thousands of beautifull flowers of divers 

 colours, & sweete water, others bringing towels & fine 

 cloth touch the same, which ever after they keepe as 

 reliques with great reverence. Afterward having left the 

 vesture in the Mosquita, as is aforesaid, they returne 

 againe into the citie, where they remaine the space of 20 

 dayes, and then the captaine departeth with his company, ' 

 and taking the vestures out of the Mosquita, carieth the 

 same to the foresaid place of Birca, where the Captaine 

 having pitched his tent with the standard of the grand 

 Signior over the gate, & the other principall tents stand- 

 ing about his, stayeth there some tenne dayes and no 

 more : in which time all those resort thither that meane 

 to follow the Carovan in this voyage to Mecca. Where 



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