368 NEW ATLANTIS. 



clothed in blue as the former was, save that his turban 

 was white, with a small red cross on the top. He had 

 also a tippet of fine linen. At his coming in, he did 

 bend to us a little, and put his arms abroad. We of 

 our parts saluted him in a very lowly and submissive 

 manner ; as looking that from him we should receive 

 sentence of life or death. He desired to speak with 

 some few of us : whereupon six of us only stayed, and 

 the rest avoided the room. He said, &quot; I am by office 

 governor of this House of Strangers, and by vocation 

 I am a Christian priest; and therefore am come to 

 you to oifer you my service, both as strangers and 

 chiefly as Christians. Some things I may tell you, 

 which I think you will not be unwilling to hear. The 

 state hath given you licence to stay on land for the 

 space of six weeks ; and let it not trouble you if your 

 occasions ask further time, for the law in this point is 

 not precise ; and I do not doubt but myself shall be 

 able to obtain for you such further time as may be 

 convenient. Ye shall also understand, that the Stran 

 gers House is at this time rich, and much aforehand ; 

 for it hath laid up revenue these thirty-seven years ; 

 for so long it is since any stranger arrived in this part : 

 and therefore take ye no care ; the state will defray 

 you all the time you stay ; neither shall you stay one 

 day the less for that. As for any merchandise ye have 

 brought, ye shall be well used, and have your return 

 either in merchandise or in gold and silver : for to us 

 it is all one. And if you have any other request to 

 make, hide it not. For ye shall find we will not make 

 your countenance to fall by the answer ye shall re 

 ceive. Only this I must tell you, that none of you 

 must go above a karan &quot; (that is with them a mile and 



