America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld: Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, BesOgilby, John
History
America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld: Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Bes
Ogilby, John
America
_Le Maire_ and _Arias Claeszoon_ were much honor’d here, for the old and
young King put their Crowns on their Heads, curiously Wrought of fine
White Feathers, and the end adorn’d with small Red and Green Feathers;
they gave also to each of them a Pigeon, White to their Wings, the
hinder part Black, and under their Bellies Red.
In the interim, the King of _Water-Island_ visited the other, by whom
_Le Maire_ was treated: When they met, they made strange shews of Honor
to each other, but at last shew’d their Salvageness by eating raw Fish,
and rudely Dancing before the _Hollanders_. _Le Maire_ going into the
Countrey, and climbing up a high Mountain, saw nothing but Morass Wilds,
and Vallies, lying under Water: The King and his Retinue here kept him
company, during his stay there, when weary with walking, they sate down
together under Coco-Nut-Trees; the young King tying a String about his
Leg, climb’d with exceeding dexterity up a high Tree, bringing several
Coco-Nuts down with him, which he open’d very expeditiously.
_Arias Claeszoon_, Rowing ashore one night, found the King sitting under
a Roof, resting on four Pillars, where several Naked Women Danc’d before
him according to their Musick, which was Taboring upon a hollow Piece of
Wood, which yielded a murmuring sound without any distinct Tune.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: _Cava_ a strange Liquor.]
[Sidenote: Impudent Women.]
But the two Kings meeting again, the next day Complemented one another
with more antick and ridiculous Postures, sitting side by side under the
Roof, imploring their God, with their Hands folded, and their Heads
bow’d to the ground: At this interview, four _Holland_ Trumpeters and
Drummers stood playing before the King, to the great admiration and
amazement of the Islanders, which were near ten thousand gather’d
together upon the News of the strangers to attend the two Kings. Soon
after a great company of Rusticks came running thither, which had a
green Herb call’d _Cava_, ty’d about their middle; on a sudden they
began all to chaw this _Cava_, throwing that which they had chaw’d into
a large Woodden Trough, then putting Water to it, they Kneaded it
together; which done, brought the Liquor on their Heads to the two
Kings, before whom they kneel’d when they gave them any: Yet
notwithstanding they receiv’d such honor from their Subjects, they
shew’d servile respects to the _Hollanders_, for every King presented
them with a Pig, which they first laid on their Heads, then kneeling,
put it down at _Le Maire_’s Feet, and bowing their Heads to the ground,
rose again. They wear their Hair long, which Brayded, hung on the left
side of their Heads down to their Hips, ty’d at the end with two Knots;
but the Nobility had two such Locks: All of them went naked, their
Privities onely cover’d. The smallest of the Men exceeded the biggest of
the _Hollanders_ in tallness. The Women had long Breasts hanging like
Satchels down to their Bellies, and so unshamefac’d, that they
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account