NEW ATLANTIS. 361 



-] 

 (somewhat yellower than our parchment, and shining 



like the leaves of writing tables, but otherwise soft and 

 flexible,) and delivered it to our foremost man. In 

 which scroll were written in ancient Hebrew, and in 

 ancient Greek, and in good Latin of the School, and 

 in Spanish, these words ; &quot; Land ye not, none of you ; 

 and provide to be gone from this coast within sixteen 

 days, except you have further time given you. Mean 

 while, if you want fresh water, or victual, or help for 

 your sick, or that your ship needeth repair, write down 

 your wants, and you shall have that which belongeth 

 to mercy.&quot; This scroll was signed with a stamp of 

 cherubins wings, not spread but hanging downwards, 

 and by them a cross. This being delivered, the officer 

 returned, and left only a servant with us to receive 

 our answer. Consulting hereupon amongst ourselves, 

 we were much perplexed. The denial of landing and 

 hasty warning us away troubled us much ; on the other 

 side, to find that the people had languages and were 

 so full of humanity, did comfort us not a little. And 

 above all, the sign of the cross to that instrument was 

 to us a great rejoicing, and as it were a certain presage 

 of good. Our answer was in the Spanish tongue ; 

 &quot; That for our ship, it was well ; for we had rather 

 met with calms and contrary winds than any tempests. 

 For our sick, they were many, and in very ill case ; 

 so that if they were not permitted to land, they ran 

 danger of their lives.&quot; Our other wants we set down 

 in particular ; adding, &quot; that we had some little store 

 of merchandise, which if it pleased them to deal for, 

 it might supply our wants without being chargeable 

 unto them.&quot; We offered some reward in pistolets 

 unto the servant, and a piece of crimson velvet to 



