The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 02Hakluyt, Richard
History
The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 02
Hakluyt, Richard
Discoveries in geography -- English; Voyages and travels
[Sidenote: Their obedience.] Their manners are partly prayse-worthie, and
partly detestable: For they are more obedient vnto their lords and masters,
then any other either clergie or laie-people in the whole world. For they
doe highly reuerence them, and will deceiue them, neither in wordes nor
deedes. They seldom or neuer fall out among themselues, and, as for
fightings or brawlings, wounds or manslaughters, they neuer happen among
them. [Sidenote: Their abstinence] There are neither theeues nor robbers of
great riches to be found, and therefore the tabernacles and cartes of them
that haue any treasures are not strengthened with lockes or barres. If any
beast goe astray, the finder thereof either lets it goe, or driueth it to
them that are put in office for the same purpose, at whose handes the owner
of the said beast demaundeth it, and without any difficultie receiueth it
againe. [Sidenote: Their courtesie.] One of them honoureth another
exceedingly, and bestoweth banquets very familiarly and liberally,
notwithstanding that good victuals are daintie and scarce among them. They
are also very hardie, and when they haue fasted a day or two without any
maner of sustenance, they sing and are merry as if they had eaten their
bellies full. In riding, they endure much cold and extreme heat. There be,
in a maner, no contentions among them, and although they vse commonly to be
drunken, yet doe they not quarrell in their drunkennes. Noe one of them
despiseth another but helpeth and furthereth him, as much as conueniently
he can. [Sidenote: Their chastity.] Their women are chaste, neither is
there so much as a word vttered concerning their dishonestie. Some of them
will notwithstanding speake filthy and immodest words. [Sidenote: Their
insolencie against strangers.] But towards other people, the said Tartars
be most insolent, and they scorne and set nought by all other noble and
ignoble persons whatsoeuer. For we saw in the Emperours court the great
duke of Russia, the kings sonne of Georgia, and many great Soldanes
receiuing no due honour and estimation among them. So that euen the very
Tartars assigned to giue attendance vnto them, were they neuer so base,
would alwaies goe before them, and take the vpper hand of them, yea, and
sometimes would constraine them to sit behinde their backes. Moreouer they
are angrie and of a disdainfull nature vnto other people, and beyond all
measure deceitfull, and treacherous towards them. They speake fayre in the
beginning, but in conclusion, they sting like scorpions. For craftie they
are, and full of falshood, circumuenting all men whom they are able, by
their sleights. Whatsoeuer mischiefe they entend to practise against a man
they keepe it wonderfully secrete so that he may by no meanes prouide for
himselfe, nor find a remedie against their conspiracies. They are vnmanerly
also and vncleanly in taking their meat and their drinke, and in other
actions. Drunkennes is honourable among them, and when any of them hath
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