196 COMMON BRITISH ANIMAL8 



go before liiiii playing on clrnnmies^ sliawmes or 

 other instruments : and when he is washed and 

 commeth out of the river^ there is a gentleman 

 which doth wash his feet in a silver basin ! which 

 is his office given him by the King. There is no 

 such account made of any blacke elephant be he 

 never so great. And surely there be wonderful 

 faire and great, and some be nine cubites in height. 

 And they do report that tlie King hath about five 

 thousand elephants of warre, besides many other 

 which be not taught to fight.^^ 



