AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



c. 1580. 



evening from Mecca, and in the morning before Sunne- 

 rising they are arrived halfe way, where there are certaine 

 habitations well furnished, and good Innes to lodge in, 

 but especially women ynough which voluntarily bestowe 

 their almes upon the poore pilgrims : likewise departing 

 the next evening, the morning after, they come unto 

 Grida. This citie is founded upon the Red Sea banke, 

 environed with wals & towers to the land-ward, but 

 through continuance of time almost consumed and 

 wasted : on the side to sea-ward it stands unwalled. 

 Grida hath three gates, one on eche side, and the thirde 

 in the midst towarde the land, which is called. The port 

 of Mecca, neere unto which are 6. or 7. Turks upon 

 [II. i. 211.] the old towers for guard thereof with foure faulcons 

 upon one of the corners of the city to the land-ward. 

 Also to sea-ward where the wall joyneth with the water, 

 there is lately made a fort like unto a bulwarke, where 

 they have planted 25 pieces of the best ordinance that 

 might be had, which are very well kept and guarded. 

 More outward towards the sea upon the farthest olde 

 tower are other five good pieces with 30 men to guard 

 them. On the other side of the city at the end of the 

 wall there is lately builded a bulwarke strong and well 

 guarded by a Sanjaccho with 150 Turks wel provided 

 with ordinance and all other necessaries and munition, 

 and all these fortifyings are for none other cause then 

 The Portugals for feare and suspition of the Portugals. And if the 

 &'^^'*bM^^^^ port were good all this were in vaine : but the port can- 

 ^g^^ not be worse nor more dangerous, being all full of rocks 



and sands, in such wise, that the ships cannot come 

 neere, but perforce ride at the least two miles oif. At 

 Forty or fifty this port arrive every yeere forty or fifty great shippes 

 rich ships laden with spices and other rich marchandize which yeeld 

 at Grida. ' ^^ custome 1 50000 ducats, the halfe whereof goeth unto 

 the Grand Signior, and the other halfe to the Serifo. 

 And because there is none other thing worthy mention 

 in Grida we wil returne to our Carovan which hath 

 almost rested enough. 



360 



