A.D. 

 1583-91, 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



Bellergan a 



tozune. 



Bisapor. 



Gulconda. 



to bee in danger for ever to be slaves in the country, for 

 it was told us we should have ye strapado. Wherupon 

 presently, the fift day of April 1585. in the morning we 

 ranne from thence. And being set over the river, we 

 went two dayes on foote not without feare, not knowing 

 the way nor having any guide, for we durst trust none. 

 One of the first townes which we came unto, is called 

 Bellergan, where there is a great market kept of 

 Diamants, Rubies, Saphires, and many other soft stones. 

 From Bellergan we went to Bisapor which is a very great 

 towne where the king doeth keepe his court. Hee hath 

 many Gentiles in his court and they bee great idolaters. 

 And they have their idols standing in the Woods, which 

 they call Pagodes. Some bee like a Cowe, some like a 

 Monkie, some like Buffles, some like peacockes, and 

 some like the devill. Here be very many elephants 

 which they goe to warre withall. Here they have good 

 store of gold and silver : their houses are of stone very 

 faire and high. From hence wee went for Gulconda, the 

 king whereof is called Cutup de lashach. Here and in 

 the kingdome of Hidalcan, and in the countrey of the 

 king of Decan bee the Diamants found of the olde water. 

 It is a very faire towne, pleasant, with faire houses of 

 bricke and timber, it aboundeth with great store of fruites 

 and fresh water. Here the men and the women do go 

 with a cloth bound about their middles without any more 

 apparell. We found it here very hote. 



The winter beginneth here about the last of May. In 

 Masulipatan. these partes is a porte or haven called Masulipatan, which 

 standeth eight dayes journey from hence toward the 

 gulfe of Bengala, whether come many shippes out of 

 India, Pegu, and Sumatra, very richly laden with Pepper, 

 spices, and other commodities. The countrie is very 

 good and fruitfull. From thence I went to Servidore 

 which is a fine countrey, and the king is called, the king 

 of Bread. The houses here bee all thatched and made 

 of lome. Here be many Moores and Gentiles, but there 

 is small religion among them. From thence I went to 



472 



Servidore. 



