'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎110] (131/448)

Ormus. Carmania.
bv fome Coozelbaflies of Shaculybegs Regiment into his Tent, and after a Ihort comple
ment moved for a ceflation of Arms, which if the Duke would agree to, they were
ready to prefent him with two hundred thoufand Tomains in hand, and an annual tri
bute of an hundred and forty thoufand Ryals. Shaculyheg having difmifled the Fidalgo,
not till next day acquaints the General •, who (wanting money) agrees both to a ceifation
and lafting peace, fo they would depofite five hundred thoufand Tomains, (amounting
with us almoft to two millions of pounds,) and pay as a tribute yearly to the King of
Terfia two hundred thoufand more. The Portugah returned him this anfwer, They were
in no fuch diftrefs as to purchafe peace at fo diihonourable a rate. After which a fmall
celfation followed, for they began a Treaty with the Englijh, putting them in mind both
where and what they were, and of the amity that had been betwixt thofe two Nations
of old; if they had injured them, they were ready to make fatisfadion; their Kings
were atthatinftant good friends,and how could hoftility 'twixt fuch Allies be defended
either by the Law of Nations or Religion ? Thefe and the like were fent: but whe
ther the behaviour of the Fidalgo difpleafed our men, or that they underftood them-
felves fo far engaged that with reputation they could not forfake the Per fan, I know
not, but the meilenger departed not well fatisfied. Two days after a hideous noife of
thunder amazed them, the JEnglift giving fire to tyo feveral Mines, fo as the breach
gave an open profped into the City •, but the hearts of the alfailants durft not travel
with their fight, their fenfes the laft time were fo confounded^ fo that they onely became
fpedators, and gave new courage to the Tortugals , moft of which were half dead with
fluxes and thirft (the three great Cifterns of the City being exhaufted) famine and pefti-
lence. The fourteenth day a fhip full of Mulettoes from Kijhmyi arrived at Ormm to help
the Portngals\ but perceiving it impoffible to approach with lafety, they turned back,
thinking to land at fome better quarter: But the Perfian General alluring them they
ftiould receive no detriment from his Army, they foolifhly gave creditto it, till four-
fcore of their heads being ftruck off, and the reft in chains made the furvivers fee their
folly.
The Ormnzjans languilhing thus under many afflidions, every hour hoped for Rn-
Fryero to raife the fiege, but he failed their expedation. The feventeenth day another
breach was made by giving fire to fixty Barrels of powder, which took fuch effed that
the Moors entred in fwarms, who yet were beaten back by eighteen Gentlemen with
out the Bulwark •, howbeit, next day the Infidels re-entred and poflelFed it. The 18th
of jAyril two famifhed Renegadoes ftole into the Perfian Camp, and difcovered to the
Duke the fickly condition of the City, and the little defence the befieged were able to
make: that gave the Perfian frefh encouragement upon the next opportunity to make a
general ftorm. Which the Portugals wilely forefeeing, and well knowing the trea
cherous and faithlefs difpofition of the Infidels, efpecially towards Chriftians, they
without farther procraftination fent unto the Englifh Captains who were aboard, letting
them know their willingnefs to render the Caftle unto them, and to fubmit themfelves
and what they had to their mercy •, which upon the three and twentieth day they per
formed *, only craving that they might have their lives, and a fafe Convoy to Mnskat in
Arabia. The English according to promife tranlported three thoufand of them as they
defired, intending like favour to the reft: but the Perfians intercepted above three hun
dred Arabs (amongft which were many Portugals) whom contrary to Oath they barba-
roufly flew, and fent their heads to Gombroon as a Trophy. Which done, the Magazines
of Arms, Viduals, and Treafure were fealed up with the Signets of both Nations: the
interim contrary to agreement was imployed by the Perjian in maffacring of more than
half-dead men, violating women , polluting Temples and defacing houfes. During
which an Englijhman ( contrary to order) breaks into a Monaftery, but in his return is
defcried by the ratling of his burthenfome facriledge *, at which the judging
the agreement broken) fall to plunder every thing that was valuable. The Englijh dream
ing of no fuch accident, charge the Infidels with breach of Articles, but got no other
anfwer than that the English made the firft breach i fo that for all this fervice our men
got no more than twenty thoufand pounds. The brafs Ordnance in the Caftle and Ram-
pires were divided betwixt them. Some fay they were three hundred, others as many
more: Howbeit, our men acknowledge but fifty three great brafs pieces which were
mounted, four brafs Cannon, fix brafs Demi-cannon, fixteen Cannon-pedroes of brafs,
three of iron, ten brafs Bafes, feven brafs Baftels, fome Bafilisks of two and twenty
foot long, and ninety two brafs pieces that were unmounted*, which I the rather name,
in that the Portnguez. alledge they had fmall defence. Thofe belonging to the Perjian
were tranfported to Gombroon, Lar } Shyragy Sfahawny and Babylon. The King of