THE PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA ad. 



c. 1580. 



Of their going to Medina. 



THe Carovan departeth for Medina returning the 

 same way they came unto Bedrihonem abovesayd, 

 where they leave their ordinance and other cariages, 

 whereof they have no need, with the pilgrims which 

 have scene Medina aforetime, and desire not to see it 

 againe, but stay in that place, expecting the carovan, and 

 resting untill the carovan go from Bedrihonem to Medina, 

 where they alwayes finde goodly habitations, with abun- 

 dance of sweet waters, and dates enough, and being within 

 foureteene miles of Medina they come unto a great plaine 

 called by them Jabel el salema, that is to say, the moun- 

 taine of health, from which they begin to descry the city 

 and tombe of Mahomet, at which sight they light from 

 their horses in token of reverence. And being ascended 

 up the sayd mountaine with shouting which pierceth the 

 skies they say, Sala tuua salema Alaccha Jarah sul Allah. 

 Sala tuua Salema Alaccha Janabi Allah, Sala tuua Salema 

 Allaccha Jahabit Allah : which words in the Arabian tongue 

 signilie : Prayer and health be unto thee, oh prophet of 

 God : prayer and health be upon thee, oh beloved of God. 

 And having pronounced this salutation, they proceed 

 on their journey, so that they lodge that night within 

 three miles of Medina : and the next morning the 

 captaine of the pilgrimage ariseth, & proceeding towards 

 the city, and drawing neere, there commeth the governour 

 under the Serifo, accompanied with his people to receive 

 the Carovan, having pitched their tents in the midst of a 

 goodly field where they lodge. 



Of Medina. 



Edina is a little city of great antiquity, containing 

 in circuit not above two miles, having therein but 

 one castle, which is olde and weake, guarded by an Aga 

 with fifty pieces of artillery, but not very good. The 

 houses thereof are faire and well situated, built of lime 

 and stone, and in the midst of the city stands a foure- 



361 



M 



