| WE SAILED from Peru, (where we had continued by the space of one whole year,) for
China and Japan, by the South Sea; taking with us victuals for twelve months; and had good winds from
the east, though soft and weak, for five months space, and more. But then the wind came about, and
settled in the west for many days, so as we could make little or no way, and were sometimes in purpose
to turn back. But then again there arose strong and great winds from the south, with a point east, which
carried us up (for all that we could do), towards the north; by which time our victuals failed us,
though we had made good spare of them. So that finding ourselves, in the midst of the greatest
wilderness of waters in the world, without victuals, we gave ourselves for lost men and prepared for
death. Yet we did lift up our hearts and voices to God above, who showeth his wonders in the
deep, beseeching him of his mercy, that as in the beginning he discovered the face of the deep,
and brought forth dry land, so he would now discover land to us, that we might not perish. |
1 |
| And it came to pass that the next day about evening, we saw within a kenning 1 before us, towards the north, as it were thick
clouds, which did put us in some hope of land; knowing how that part of the South Sea was utterly
unknown; and might have islands, or continents, that hitherto were not come to light. Wherefore we bent
our course thither, where we saw the appearance of land, all that night; and in the dawning of the next
day, we might plainly discern that it was a land; flat to our sight, and full of boscage; 2 which made it show the more dark. And after an
hour and a half’s sailing, we entered into a good haven, being the port of a fair city; not great
indeed, but well built, and that gave a pleasant view from the sea: and we thinking every minute long,
till we were on land, came close to the shore, and offered to land. But straightways we saw divers of
the people, with bastons 3 in their hands (as it
were) forbidding us to land; yet without any cries of fierceness, but only as warning us off, by signs
that they made. Whereupon being not a little discomforted, 4 we were advising with ourselves, what we should do. |
2 |
| During which time, there made forth to us a small boat, with about eight persons in it;
whereof one of them had in his hand a tipstaff of a yellow cane, tipped at both ends with blue, who came
aboard our ship, without any show of distrust at all. And when he saw one of our number, present himself
somewhat before the rest, he drew forth a little scroll of parchment (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, 5 and in Spanish,
these words: Land ye not, none of you; and provide to be gone, from this coast, within sixteen days,
except you have further time given you. Meanwhile, if you want fresh water or victuals, or help for
your sick, or that your ship needeth repairs, write down your wants, and you shall have that, which
belongeth to mercy. This scroll was signed with a stamp of cherubim’s 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. |
3 |
| 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; 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. Our other wants we set down in particular;
adding, 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. We offered some reward in pistolets 6 unto the servant, and a piece of crimson velvet
to be presented to the officer; but the servant took them not, nor would scarce look upon them; and so
left us, and went back in another little boat, which was sent for him. |
4 |
| About three hours after we had dispatched our answer, there came towards us a person (as it
seemed) of place. He had on him a gown with wide sleeves, of a kind of water chamolet, 7 of an excellent azure colour, far more glossy
than ours; his under apparel was green; and so was his hat, being in the form of a turban, daintily
made, and not so huge as the Turkish turbans; and the locks of his hair came down below the brims of it.
A reverend man was he to behold. He came in a boat, gilt in some part of it, with four persons more only
in that boat; and was followed by another boat, wherein were some twenty. When he was come within a
flightshot 8 of our ship, signs were made to us, that
we should send forth some to meet him upon the water; which we presently did in our ship-boat, sending
the principal man amongst us save one, and four of our number with him. |
5 |
| When we were come within six yards of their boat, they called to us to stay, and not to
approach farther; which we did. And thereupon the man, whom I before described, stood up, and with a
loud voice, in Spanish, asked, “Are ye Christians?” We answered, “We were;”
fearing the less, because of the cross we had seen in the subscription. At which answer the said person
lifted up his right hand towards Heaven, and drew it softly to his mouth (which is the gesture they use,
when they thank God;) and then said: “If ye will swear (all of you) by the merits of the Saviour,
that ye are no pirates, nor have shed blood, lawfully, nor unlawfully within forty days past, you may
have licence to come on land.” We said, “We were all ready to take that oath.”
Whereupon one of those that were with him, being (as it seemed) a notary, made an entry of this act.
Which done, another of the attendants of the great person which was with him in the same boat, after his
Lord had spoken a little to him, said aloud: “My Lord would have you know, that it is not of
pride, or greatness, that he cometh not aboard your ship; but for that in your answer you declare that
you have many sick amongst you, he was warned by the Conservator of Health of the city that he should
keep a distance.” We bowed ourselves towards him, and answered, “We were his humble
servants; and accounted for great honour, and singular humanity towards us, that which was already done;
but hoped well, that the nature of the sickness of our men was not infectious.” So he returned;
and a while after came the Notary to us aboard our ship; holding in his hand a fruit of that country,
like an orange, but of color between orange-tawney and scarlet; which cast a most excellent odour. He
used it (as it seemeth) for a preservative against infection. He gave us our oath; “By the name of
Jesus, and his merits:” and after told us, that the next day, by six of the Clock, in the Morning,
we should be sent to, and brought to the Strangers’ House, (so he called it,) where we should be
accommodated of things, both for our whole, and for our sick. So he left us; and when we offered him
some pistolets, he smiling said, “He must not be twice paid for one labour:” meaning (as I
take it) that he had salary sufficient of the State for his service. For (as I after learned) they call
an officer that taketh rewards, twice paid. |
6 |
| The next morning early, there came to us the same officer that came to us at first with his
cane, and told us, “He came to conduct us to the Strangers’ House; and that he had
prevented 9 the hour, because 10 we might have the whole day before us, for our
business. For,” he said, “if you will follow my advice, there shall first go with me some
few of you, and see the place, and how it may be made convenient for you; and then you may send for your
sick, and the rest of your number, which ye will bring on land.” We thanked him, and said,
“That this care, which he took of desolate strangers, God would reward.” And so six of us
went on land with him: and when we were on land, he went before us, and turned to us, and said,
“He was but our servant, and our guide.” He led us through three fair streets; and all the
way we went, there were gathered some people on both sides, standing in a row; but in so civil a
fashion, as if it had been, not to wonder at us, but to welcome us: and divers of them, as we passed by
them, put their arms a little abroad; 11 which is
their gesture, when they did bid any welcome. |
7 |
| The Strangers’ House is a fair and spacious house, built of brick, of somewhat a bluer
colour than our brick; and with handsome windows, some of glass; some of a kind of cambric oiled. He
brought us first into a fair parlour above stairs, and then asked us, “What number of persons we
were? And how many sick?” We answered, “We were in all, (sick and whole,) one and fifty
persons, whereof our sick were seventeen.” He desired us to have patience a little, and to stay
till he came back to us; which was about an hour after; and then he led us to see the chambers which
were provided for us, being in number nineteen: they having cast 12 it (as it seemeth) that four of those chambers, which were better than
the rest, might receive four of the principal men of our company; and lodge them alone by themselves;
and the other fifteen chambers were to lodge us two and two together. The chambers were handsome and
cheerful chambers, and furnished civilly. 13 Then he
led us to a long gallery, like a dorture, 14 where
he showed us all along the one side (for the other side was but wall and window), seventeen cells, very
neat ones, having partitions of cedar wood. Which gallery and cells, being in all forty, (many more than
we needed,) were instituted as an infirmary for sick persons. And he told us withal, that as any of our
sick waxed well, he might be removed from his cell, to a chamber; for which purpose there were set forth
ten spare chambers, besides the number we spake of before. This done, he brought us back to the parlour,
and lifting up his cane a little, (as they do when they give any charge or command) said to us,
“Ye are to know, that the custom of the land requireth, that after this day and to-morrow, (which
we give you for removing of your people from your ship,) you are to keep within doors for three days.
But let it not trouble you, nor do not think yourselves restrained, but rather left to your rest and
ease. You shall want nothing, and there are six of our people appointed to attend you, for any business
you may have abroad.” We gave him thanks, with all affection and respect, and said, “God
surely is manifested in this land.” We offered him also twenty pistolets; but he smiled, and only
said; “What? twice paid!” And so he left us. |
8 |
| Soon after our dinner was served in; which was right good viands, both for bread and meat;
better than any collegiate diet, that I have known in Europe. We had also drink of three sorts, all
wholesome and good; wine of the grape; a drink of grain, such as is with us our ale, but more clear: And
a kind of cider made of a fruit of that country; a wonderful pleasing and refreshing drink. Besides,
there were brought in to us, great store of those scarlet oranges, for our sick; which (they said) were
an assured remedy for sickness taken at sea. There was given us also, a box of small gray, or whitish
pills, which they wished our sick should take, one of the pills, every night before sleep; which (they
said) would hasten their recovery. |
9 |
| The next day, after that our trouble of carriage and removing of our men and goods out of
our ship, was somewhat settled and quiet, I thought good to call our company together; and when they
were assembled, said unto them; “My dear friends, let us know ourselves, and how it standeth with
us. We are men cast on land, as Jonas was, out of the whale’s belly, when we were as buried in the
deep: and now we are on land, we are but between death and life; for we are beyond, both the old world,
and the new; and whether ever we shall see Europe, God only knoweth. It is a kind of miracle hath
brought us hither: and it must be little less, that shall bring us hence. Therefore in regard of our
deliverance past, and our danger present, and to come, let us look up to God, and every man reform his
own ways. Besides we are come here amongst a Christian people, full of piety and humanity: let us not
bring that confusion of face upon ourselves, as to show our vices, or unworthiness before them. Yet
there is more. For they have by commandment, (though in form of courtesy) cloistered us within these
walls, for three days: who knoweth, whether it be not, to take some taste of our manners and
conditions? 15 and if they find them bad, to banish
us straightways; if good, to give us further time. For these men that they have given us for attendance,
may withal have an eye upon us. Therefore for God’s love, and as we love the weal of our souls and
bodies, let us so behave ourselves, as we may be at peace with God, and may find grace in the eyes of
this people.” Our company with one voice thanked me for my good admonition, and promised me to
live soberly and civilly, and without giving any the least occasion of offence. So we spent our three
days joyfully, and without care, in expectation what would be done with us, when they were expired.
During which time, we had every hour joy of the amendment of our sick; who thought themselves cast into
some divine pool of healing; they mended so kindly, 16 and so fast. |
10 |
| The morrow after our three days were past, there came to us a new man, that we had not seen
before, 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 staid, and the rest avoided 17 the room. He
said, “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 offer 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 license 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 my self
shall be able, to obtain for you such further time, as may be convenient. Ye shall also understand, that
the Strangers’ 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 18 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 receive. Only this I must tell you, that none of you must go
above a karan,” (that is with them a mile and an half) “from the walls of the city,
without especial leave.” |
11 |
| We answered, after we had looked awhile one upon another, admiring 19 this gracious and parent-like usage;
“That we could not tell what to say: for we wanted words to express our thanks; and his noble free
offers left us nothing to ask. It seemed to us, that we had before us a picture of our salvation in
Heaven; for we that were a while since in the jaws of death, were now brought into a place, where we
found nothing but consolations. For the commandment laid upon us, we would not fail to obey it, though
it was impossible but our hearts should be enflamed to tread further upon this happy and holy
ground.” We added; “That our tongues should first cleave to the roofs of our mouths, ere we
should forget, either his reverend person, or this whole nation, in our prayers.” We also most
humbly besought him, to accept of us as his true servants, by as just a right as ever men on earth were
bounden; laying and presenting, both our persons, and all we had, at his feet. He said; “He was a
priest, and looked for a priest’s reward; which was our brotherly love, and the good of our souls
and bodies.” So he went from us, not without tears of tenderness in his eyes; and left us also
confused with joy and kindness, saying amongst ourselves; “That we were come into a land of
angels, which did appear to us daily, and present us with comforts, which we thought not of, much less
expected.” |
12 |
| The next day about ten of the clock, the Governor came to us again, and after salutations,
said familiarly; “That he was come to visit us;” and called for a chair, and sat him down:
and we, being some ten of us, (the rest were of the meaner sort, or else gone abroad,) sat down with
him. And when we were set, he began thus: “We of this island of Bensalem,” (for so they call
it in their language,) “have this; that by means of our solitary situation; and of the laws of
secrecy, which we have for our travellers, and our rare admission of strangers; we know well most part
of the habitable world, and are ourselves unknown. Therefore because he that knoweth least is fittest to
ask questions, it is more reason, for the entertainment of the time, that ye ask me questions, than that
I ask you.” |
13 |
| We answered; “That we humbly thanked him that he would give us leave so to do: and
that we conceived by the taste we had already, that there was no worldly thing on earth, more worthy to
be known than the state of that happy land. But above all,” (we said,) “since that we were
met from the several ends of the world, and hoped assuredly that we should meet one day in the kingdom
of Heaven, (for that we were both parts Christians,) we desired to know, (in respect that land was so
remote, and so divided by vast and unknown seas, from the land where our Saviour walked on earth,) who
was the apostle of that nation, and how it was converted to the faith?” It appeared in his face
that he took great contentment in this our question: he said; “Ye knit my heart to you, by asking
this question in the first place; for it sheweth that you first seek the kingdom of heaven; and I
shall gladly, and briefly, satisfy your demand. |
14 |
“About twenty years after the ascension of our Saviour, it came to pass, that there
was seen by the people of Renfusa, (a city upon the eastern coast of our island,) within night, (the
night was cloudy, and calm,) as it might be some mile into the sea, a great pillar of light; not sharp,
but in form of a column, or cylinder, rising from the sea a great way up towards heaven; and on the top
of it was seen a large cross of light, more bright and resplendent than the body of the pillar. Upon
which so strange a spectacle, the people of the city gathered apace together upon the sands, to wonder;
and so after put themselves into a number of small boats, to go nearer to this marvellous sight. But
when the boats were come within (about) sixty yards of the pillar, they found themselves all bound, and
could go no further; yet so as they might move to go about, but might not approach nearer: so as the
boats stood all as in a theatre, beholding this light as an heavenly sign. It so fell out, that there
was in one of the boats one of the wise men, of the society of Salomon’s House; which house, or
college (my good brethren) is the very eye of this kingdom; who having awhile attentively and devoutly
viewed and contemplated this pillar and cross, fell down upon his face; and then raised himself upon his
knees, and lifting up his hands to heaven, made his prayers in this manner.
|
“‘LORD God of heaven and earth, thou hast vouchsafed of thy grace
to those of our order, to know thy works of Creation, and the secrets of them: and to
discern (as far as appertaineth to the generations of men) between divine miracles,
works of nature, works of art, and impostures and illusions of all sorts. I do here
acknowledge and testify before this people, that the thing which we now see before our
eyes is thy Finger and a true Miracle. And forasmuch as we learn in our books that thou
never workest miracles, but to a divine and excellent end, (for the laws of nature are
thine own laws, and thou exceedest them not but upon great cause,) we most humbly
beseech thee to prosper this great sign, and to give us the interpretation and use of it
in mercy; which thou dost in some part secretly promise by sending it unto
us.’ |
|
“‘I Bartholomew, a servant of the Highest, and Apostle of Jesus
Christ, was warned by an angel that appeareth to me, in a vision of glory, that I should
commit this ark to the floods of the sea. Therefore I do testify and declare unto that
people where God shall ordain this ark to come to land, that in the same day is come
unto them salvation and peace and good-will, from the Father, and from the Lord
Jesus.’ |
| Note 1. Within sight. [back] |
| Note 2. Woods. [back] |
| Note 3. Staves. [back] |
| Note 4. Discouraged. [back] |
| Note 5. Academic, as opposed to popular, Latin. [back] |
| Note 6. Pistoles, Spanish gold coins. [back] |
| Note 7. Camlet with a wavy surface. [back] |
| Note 8. A flight was a light arrow. [back] |
| Note 9. Come before. [back] |
| Note 10. In order that. [back] |
| Note 11. Stretched out. [back] |
| Note 12. Planned. [back] |
| Note 13. Respectably. [back] |
| Note 14. Dormitory. [back] |
| Note 15. Dispositions. [back] |
| Note 16. Naturally. [back] |
| Note 17. Left. [back] |
| Note 18. Pay expenses. [back] |
| Note 19. Wondering at. [back] |
| Note 20. Pieces. [back] |
| Note 21. Similar. [back] |
| Note 22. Private room. [back] |
| Note 23. Private room. [back] |
| Note 24. Property. [back] |
| Note 25. Quality. [back] |
| Note 26. Idea. [back] |
| Note 27. Hint. [back] |
| Note 28. Families. [back] |
| Note 29. Cambalu, Pekin. [back] |
| Note 30. Plato, in the “Critias.” [back] |
| Note 31. Settled. [back] |
| Note 32. Ladder to heaven. [back] |
| Note 33. Ensnared. [back] |
| Note 34. Partial. [back] |
| Note 35. Civilization. [back] |
| Note 36. Self-sufficing. [back] |
| Note 37. Fearing. [back] |
|
