For berries and such baggage like, which should seeme meate to bee. Our fingers serue in steed, both of pickaxe and spade, To dig and pull vp euery weed, that grew within the shade. Eke diged for rootes the ground, and searcht on euery brier For berries, which if we had found, then streight way to the fire: Where we rost some of those, the rest seeth in a pot, And of this banket nought we lose, nor fragment resteth not. The night as beasts we lie the bare hard earth, vpon, And round by vs a great fire light to keepe wilde beasts vs from. But what should I recite, or couet to declare My sorrowes past, or eke t'endite of my hard Ginnie fare? I cease here to enlarge my miserie in that land, A toy in head doth now me charge, as here to hold my hand. In fine, what would ye more, the heat did so exceed, That wanting cloths it scorcht so sore no man could it abide. The countrey eke so wilde, and vnhealthfull withall, That hungry stomacks neuer fill'd, doth cause faint bodies fall. Our men fall sicke apace, and cherishing haue none: That now of nine, within short space, we be left three alone, Alas, what great agast to vs three liuing yet, Was it to see, that death so fast away our fellowes fet? And then to loue on hie we call for helpe and grace, And him beseech vnfainedly, to fetch vs from this place. From this wild heathen land, to Christendome againe, Or else to lay on vs his hand, and rid vs from our paine. Lest that we ouerprest with too much miserie, Perhaps as weake breake our behest which we owe God on high. And least we liuing here among this heathen, might Perchance for need do that which were right hainous in his sight. Well, to my purpose then, when we to loue thus crie, To helpe vs hence poore silly men from this our miserie. He hearing vs at length, how we to him doe call, He helps vs with his wonted strength, and straight thither withall, A French ship sends at last, with whom we three go hence: But six in earth there lie full fast, and neuer like come thence. This Frenchman as I say, through salt and surging seas, Vs brought from Ginnie land, away to France, the Lord we praise. And warre he proues it plaine when we entered his ship, A prisner therefore I remaine, and hence I cannot slip Till that my ramsome be agreed vpon, and paid, Which being leuied yet so hie, no agreement cant be made. And such is lo my chance, the meane time to abide A prisner for ransome in France, till God send time and tide. From whence this idle rime to England I doe send: And thus till I haue further time, this Tragedie I end. R. Baker. * * * * * The voyage of M. Roger Bodenham with the great Barke Aucher to Candia and Chio, in the yeere 1550.