x 3 © TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



by a Succeflion of kings who had not in any age their 

 equals, and Seconded by officers and Soldiers who, for dis- 

 cipline, courage, love to their country, and affection to their 

 fovereign were, perhaps, Superior to any troops, or any fet 

 of individuals, that, as far as we can judge; from hiftory, , 

 have ever yet appeared in the world. 



It was not now a time for a woman to reign, nor; whicli. 

 was the fame thing, to place a child upou the, throne. The 

 emprefs Helena faw this diflinclly ; but her ambition, 

 made her prefer the love of reigning to the vifible necefli- 

 ties and welfare of her country; She knew the progrels 

 and extent of the Portuguese power in India ; and faw plain- 

 ly there was no profpect, but in their afiiflance, at once to > 

 fave both Abyffinia and Adel. 



Peter Covillan, fent thither as ambaflador by John,; 

 king of Portugal^ had, for two reigns, been detained in A- 

 byffinia, with a conftant refufal of leave to return. He was ; 

 now become an object of curiofity rather than ufe. How- 

 ever, except his liberty, he had Wanted nothing, The em- 

 prefs had married him nobly in the country ; had given 

 him large appointments, both as to profit and dignity. She 

 now began to be fenfible of the confequence of having with., 

 her a man of his abilities, who could open to her the method 

 of corresponding effectually both with India and Portugal: 

 in their own language, to which, as well as to the perfons 

 to whom her letters were to be addreffed, She was then an; 

 litter Stranger. 



She had about her court an Armenian merchant named 

 Matthew, a perfon of great truft and .discretion, who had' 



2. been. 



