COVIIHAM — MATTHEW. 
and this, though overlooked in many instances, 
was enforced against Covilham. He was loaded, 
however, with lands and possessions ; and being a 
greater man in Abyssinia than in his native coun- 
try, was not, perhaps, very earnest in his soHcita- 
tions for permission to depart. 
Although, however, the court of Abyssinia 
would not permit Covilham's return to Europe, 
they felt every inclination to cultivate the king of 
Portugal's alliance, hoping, from his pious zeal, 
for aid in their continual wars against the Moors 
of Adel. The empress Helena, therefore, who 
governed the country during the minority of her 
son David, selected a person named Matthew, an 
Armenian merchant, who, though not the most 
dignified ambassador, appeared to possess the 
qualities which best fitted him for such an office, 
A young Abyssinian nobleman accompanied him, 
but died on the voyage. Matthew, after long de- 
lays, arrived in Portugal in 1513. Those who con- 
sider the unbounded veneration which attached 
to the name of Prester John, will easily conceive 
the delight felt by the king, on receiving this first 
embassy from so renowned a personage. Every 
honour was lavished upon Matthew, and an em- 
bassy, on a great scale, was soon fitted out to re- 
turn with him to Abyssinia. At the head of it 
was placed Edward Gal van, a man of great abili- 
ties and experience, who had filled the highest of° 
