Pilgrimage, Book 3 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Of the Pilgrimage to Mecca.
WE hauehave heard of the antiquitie of this Pilgrimage in the former chapter, deriued from Adam, who was shauen & circumcised for that purpose: & the Alcoran nameth Abraham the founder of the Temple &c. Pitie it were, that the last of the Prophets should not honour that which was first instituted by the first of men. If we will rather beleeue that Arabian before mentioned, we shall finde another originall, namely, that whereas two Nations of the Indians, called Zechian & Albarachuma, had vsed to go about their Idols naked and shauen, with great howlings, kissing the corners, and casting stones vponupon an heape which was heaped vp in honour of their Gods, and that twice eueryevery yeare, in the Spring, and in Autumne: the Arabians had learned the same of the Indians, and practised the same at Mecca, in honour of Venus (casting stones backe betweene their legges, the parts of Venus) in the time of Mahomet. Neither did Mahomet abrogate this, as he did other idolatrous Rites; onelyonly for modesties sake they were enioyned to gird a piece of Linnen about their Reines.
Mecca, or (as they call it) Macca, signifying an Habitation, containeth in it about sixe thousand houses, fairely built, like those of Italie: Other walls it hath not, then such as Nature hath enuironed it with, namely, with high and barren Mountaines round about. Some aPilgrimage to Mecca, M. Hak. t.2.report, That betweene the Mountaines and the Citie are pleasant Gardens, abundant of Figges, Grapes, Apples, Melons, and that there is store also of Flesh and Water. But it seemeth, that this is of later industrie, not of Natures indulgence, if it be true. For Lod. Barthema bVertoman; l.1.c.14., or Vertoman, being there in the yeare 1503, sayth, That the place was accursed of GOD, as not bringing forth Hearbes, Trees, Fruits, or any thing, and besides, hauing great scarcitie of water, and is serued with these things from other places. It is gouerned by a King (tributarie, then to the Soldan, now to the Turke) called the Seriffo, lineally descended from their great Seducer, by his daughter Fatma (the onelyonly issue of this libidinous poligamous Prophet) married to Hali. All of this kindred are called Emyri, that is, Lords, clothed with (or at least wearing Turbants of) greene, which colour the Mahumetans will not suffer other men to weare.
The number of Pilgrimes which resort hither, is incredible. From Cairo commeth a Carovan of deuotion, some to Mammon, some to Mahomet, either for trade of Merchandise, or for Superstition, and another yearely from Damascus: besides those which come from the Indies, Aethiopia, Arabia, Persia, &c. Lud. Barthema sayth, That (at his being at Mecca) of the Carovan of Damasco, wherein he went, were fiue and thirtie thousand Camels, and about fortie thousand persons: of that of Cairo were threescore and foure thousand Camels, and now in these times about fortie thousand Camels, Mules, and Dromedaries, and fiftie thousand persons, besides the Arabian Carovan, and of other Nations.
This Mart of Mecca is much impaired, since the Portugales hauehave intercepted the Indian commodities, which by a Carovan, from thence, were wont to be brought hithen.
Let me desire the Reader to hauehave patience, and goe along, on this Pilgrimage, with one of these Carovans, through these Arabian Deserts to Mecca and Medina: and because that of Gairo is the chiefe, we will bestow our selues in it, and obserue what Rites they obserue before they set forth; what by the way, and at the intended places of their deuotion. cAlcor.Italic.Touching the necessitie whereof; they thinke, That they which goe not once in their liues, shall, after death, goe to the Deuill. Yea, some, for deuotion, plucke out their eyes after so holy a sight.
The monethmonth Ramazan (as you hauehave heard) is their Lent; falling sometime high, sometime low, being that whole monethmonth, during which time the Pilgrims and Merchants resort to Cairo from Asia, Greece, Barbarie, &c. After their dPilgrimage to Mecca, Ha…sLent ended, they obserue their Easter, or Feast, called Bairam, three dayes. Twentie dayes after this Feast, the Carovan is readie to depart. Against this time, they assemble themselues at a place, two leagues from Cairo (called Birca) attending the comming of the Captaine. This Captaine of the Carovan, whome they call Amarilla Haggi, is renewed eueryevery third yeare; and to him the Grand Signior, eueryevery voyage, giueth eighteene Purses (each containing sixe hundred twentie fiue duckats of Gold) for the behoofe of the Carovan, and also to doe almes vntounto needfull Pilgrims. He hath foure Chausi to serue him, and foure hundred souldiors, two hundred Spachi, mounted on Dromedaries, and as many Ianizaries, riding on Camels. The Chausi and Spachi the Captaine maintaineth at his owne charges: The Ianizaries hauehave their prouision from Cairo, He hath eight Pilots for guides; which Office is hereditarie.
They carrie fiue pieces of Ordinance, to terrifie the Arabians, and to triumph at Mecca. The merchandise that goeth by land, payeth no custome; that which goeth by sea, payeth tenne in the hundred. At the Feast, before the Carovan setteth forth, the Captaine, with his Retinue and Officers, resort vntounto the Castle of Cairo, before the Basha, which giueth vntounto eueryevery man a Garment, and that of the Captaine is wrought with gold, the others according to their degree. Moreouer, he deliuereth vntounto him the Chisva Tunabi, or Garment of the Prophet; a vesture of Silke, wrought with these letters of Gold, Lailla ill alla Mahumet Resullala; that is, There are no Gods, but GOD, and Mahomet is the Messenger of GOD. After this, he deliuereth to him a Gate, wrought curiously with Gold; and a Couering of greene Veluet, made in manner of a Pyramis, about nine palmes high, wrought with fine Gold, to couer the Tombe of the Prophet Mahomet, and many other Couerings besides of Gold and Silke, to adorne it. The two former are for the House of Abraham in Mecca.
Then the Captaine hauing taken his leaue, departeth, accompanied with all the people of Cairo, in manner of a Procession, with singing, shouting, and a thousand Ceremonies besides, and passing the Gate Bab-Nassera, layeth vp, in a Mosquita, the said Vestures very safely. This Ceremonie is performed with such publike resort, that it is not lawfull for any man to forbid his wife the going to this Feast: for shee may, vponupon such a cause, separate her selfe from her husband, and lye with another man. The Camels, which carrie the Vestures, being adorned with Cloth of Gold, and many little Bells, the multitude stroweth flowers and sweet water on them; others with fine Cloth and Towels touch the same, reseruing these for Reliques. Twentie dayes after this Feast, the Captaine, taking the Vestures out of that Mosquita, repaireth to Birca, where his Tent abideth some tenne dayes. In this time, they which meane to follow the Carovan, resort thither, and amongst them, many women, attyred with Trifles, Tassels, and Knottes, accompanied with their friends, mounted on Camels. The night before their departure, they make great feasting and triumph, with discharging their Ordinance, Fire-workes, &c. shouting, till, at the breake of day, vponupon the found of a Trumpet, they march forward on their way.
From Cairo to Mecca is fortie dayes iourney, trauelling from two a clocke in the morning till the Sun ne-rising: and then hauing rested till noone, they set forward, so continuing till night:, obseruing this order, till the end of their Voyage, without change; except e…. Bar. with the Carovan of Damasco trauelled 22. houres of 24.at some places, where, in respect of water, they rest sometimes a day and a halfe, to refresh themselues. The Carovan is diuided into three parts: the fore-ward, the maine battaile, and the rete-ward. The fore-ward containeth about the third part of the people; and amongst these, the eight Pilots, a Chausi, and foure knaues, with Bulls sinewes, which punish offendors on the soles of their feet. In the night time they hauehave foure or fiue men goe before with Peeces of drie wood, which giuegive light: they follow the Starre, as the Mariners. Within a quarter of a myle followeth the maine Battaile, with their Ordinance, Gunners, and fifteene Archers, Spachs. The chiefe Physician, with his Ointments and Medicines for the sicke, and Camels for them to ride on. Next goeth the fairest Camell that may be found in the Turkes dominion, decked with Cloth of Gold and Silke, and carrieth a little Chest, made of pure Leg…ame, in forme of the Israelitish Arke, containing in it the Alcoran, all written with great letters of Gold, bound betweene two Tables of Massie Gold. This Chest is couered with Silke, during the voyage; but at their entring into Mecca and Medina it is couered with Cloth of Gold, adorned with Iewels. This Camell is compassed about with Arabian Singers and Musicians, singing alway, and playing vponupon Instruments. After this follow fifteene other most faire Camels, eueryevery one carrying one of the aboue said Vestures, being couered from top to toe with Silke. Behind these, goe the twentie Camels, which carrie the Captaines money and prouision. After followeth the Standard of the Great Signior, accompanied with Musicians & souldiors, & behind these, lesse then a mile, followeth the rere-ward, the greatest part Pilgrimes; the Merchants, for securitie, going before: for in this voyage it is needfull, and vsuall, that the Captaine bestow Presents, Garments, and Turbants vponupon the chiefe Arabians, to giuegive him free passage, receiuing sometimes, by pilferings, some damage notwithstanding. They passe by certaine weake Castles in the way, Agerut, Nachel, Acba, Biritem, betweene which two last is the Riuer of Ithro, and the Ponds of Midian, where Moses sate downe. At Iebhir, the first Towne subiect to the Seriffo of Mecca, they are receiued with much ioy, and well refreshed with the plentie which that place yeeldeth. They finde other filthie commodities also more then plentie, which fact (they hold) purgeth them from a multitude of sinnes, and encreaseth their deuotion to prosecute the voyage. The next day they goe towards Bedrihonem, in which place groweth shrubbes, whereout issueth Baulme. Hereby they lodge one night, in memorie of a victorie here obtained against the Christians, at the earnest prayers of their Prophet, dreaming of Drummes, here still sounded by Angels, as they passe. The next morning, by Sunne-rising, they arriue at Bedrihonem, where eueryevery one washeth himselfe from top to toe, couering their priuities with a cloth, and their shoulders with another white one; and they which can goe in this habite to Mecca, merite more; they which cannot, make a vow to offer a Ramme at the Mountaine of Pardons. After this washing, it is not lawfull for any man or woman to kill a Flea or Lowse with their hands or nayles, till they hauehave accomplished their Vowes at that Mountaine.
This night they come within two myles of Mecca. The next morning they march on, and the Seriffo meeting them, resigneth his Gouernment to the Captaine, during his abode there: and the Captaine giueth him a garment of cloth of Gold, with other Iewels. After this, hauing eaten together vponupon Carpets and Hides, they take with them the Gate and Garment abouesaid, and goe, attended but with few, to the Mosquita, and there cause the old to be pulled downe, and put the new couerture on the house of Abraham: and the old Vesture is the Eunuchs which serue in the said Mosquita, which sell it deere to the Pilgrimes, eueryevery little piece being accounted a most holy Relique. And well may it be so, for (can you doubt of it?) putting the same vnderunder the head of a man at his death, all his sinnes must, by vertue hereof, be pardoned. They take away the old dore, which is the Seriffo's fee, and set in place the new. Thus after some Orisons, the Captaine returneth to his pauilion, the Seriffo remaineth in the Citie.
That you may be the better acquainted with this Mosquita, and house of Abraham, you are to know, fDescription of the Mosquita at Mecca.that in the middest of the Citie is this great Mosquita, built (they say) in the time when their Prophet liued. It is foure-square, eueryevery square halfe a mile, being in all the circuit two miles, in manner of a Cloyster: The Galleries round about are in manner of foure streets; these streets being separated from each other with Pillars, of Marble some, and some of Lime and Stone. In the middest of all, separate from the rest, is the house of Abraham. This Mosquita hath fourescore and nineteene Gates and fiue Steeples, from whence the Talismans call the people to their deuotion. And the Pilgrimes, which are not prouided of Tents, resort hither, men and women lying together; their House of Prayer becomming a denne of Theeues. Barthema sayth, That this Temple is round, like the Coliseo at Rome: That at eueryevery entrance is a descent of tenne or twelue steppes, on both sides whereof stand Iewellers, which sell Gemmes onelyonly. Within it is vaulted, gilded, and odoriferous; beyond what can be spoken: for there are foure or fiue hundred men which sell powders to preserue dead corpses, and other Sweetes. It seemeth, that since his time the Temple and House of Abraham are altered. This gThe house of Abraham described.House is fouresquare, made of speckled stone, twentie paces high, and fortie in circuit. And vponupon one side of this House, within the wall, there is a stone of a spanne long, and halfe a spanne broad, which stone (they say) fell downe from Heauen; a voice from Heauen, at the same fall, being heard, That wheresoeuer this stone fell, there should be built the House of GOD, wherein he will heare the prayers of sinners. Then was this Stone as white as Snow, but now, through the kisses of sinners it is become so blacke as it is. The entrance into this House is small and high. There are without this House one and thirtie pillars of Brasse vponupon square stones, sustaining a thread of Copper, reaching from one to another, on which are fastened many burning Lampes. The founder of these was Solyman. Being entred into this house through that difficult passage, there stand two pillars of Marble at the entrance: in the middest are three of Aloes-wood, couered with tyles of India, of a thousand colours, which serue to vnderprop the Terratza, or roofe. It is so darke, that they can hardly see within for want of light; nor is it without an euill smell. Without the gate fiue paces, is the Pond Zunzun; that blessed Pond which the Angell shewed to Agar for her sonne Ismael.
Of their Feast Baraim is said alreadie: about sixe dayes after they be come hither to Mecca, they celebrate another Feast called Bine baraim, that is, the great Feast, which is also called, The Feast of the Ramme. In those dayes space they prepare themselues hereunto with due ceremonies. First, departing from the Carovan, guided with such as are skilfull in the way, they goe twentie or thirtie in a Companie, walking through a street, which ascendeth by little and little, till they come vntounto a certaine gate, whereon is written in Marble, Babel Salema; that is, the gate of Health. And from this place is descried the great Mosquita, and twice saluted, saying, Peace to thee, Messenger of GOD. Then proceeding on their way, they finde an Arch on their right hand, whereon they ascend fiue steppes, vponupon which is a great void place made of stoue: after descending other fiue steppes, and proceeding the space of a flight-shoot, they finde another Arch, like vntounto the first; and this way, from the one Arch to the other, they goe and come seuen times, saying alwaies some of their prayers, which they say the afflicted Hagar said, whiles she sought and found not water for her sonne. After this Ceremonie, they enter into the Mosquita; and drawing neere vntounto the house of Abraham, they goe round about it other seuen times, alwayes saying. This is the House of GOD, and of his seruant Abraham. This done, they goe and kisse that blacke stone ahouesaid; and then goe they to the Pond ZunZun, and in their apparrell, as they be, wash themselues from head to foot, saying, Tobah Allah, Tobah Allah, Pardon LORD, Pardon LORD; drinking also of that muddie vnsauourie water: and thus returne they, cleansed from all their sinnes. Euerie Pilgrime performeth these Ceremonies once at the least; the deuouter sort often.
An hundred yeares since these Ceremonies were somewhat different, after Barthema's hVertoman. lib.1.c.15.Relation. On the three and twentieth of May, the people (before day) compassed that house of Abraham seuen times, alway touching and kissing euerie corner. Tenne or twelue paces from this house was another, in manner of a Chappell, with three or foure gates, and in the middest thereof a pit of brackish water, threescore and tenne yards deepe. Thereat stand sixe or eight men, appointed to draw water for the people; who after their seuen-fold Ceremonie come to the brinke, and say, All this be for the honour of GOD, and the piteous GOD pardon mee my sinnes. Then doe those other powre vponupon them three buckets full of Water, from the top of their heads to their feet, be their garments neuer so costly.
The Carovan iThe Pilgrims going to the Mountaine of Pardons.hauing abode at Mecca fiue dayes, the night before the euening of their Feast, the Captaine, with all his Companie, setteth forwards, toward the Mountaine of Pardons, called Iabel Arafata, distant from Mecca fifteene miles. This Mountaine, or small Hill rather, is in compasse two myles, enuironed round about with the goodliest Plaine that mans eye hath seene, and that Plaine compassed with high Mountaines. VponUpon the side towards Mecca there are many pipes of cleare fresh water, wherewith the people refresh themselues and their Cattell. Adam and Eue, when they were banished Paradise, after they had beene separated fortie yeares, one in Nubia, and the other in India (as you heard before) met at this pleasant place, and here inhabited and built a little house, which they call at this day Beyt-Adam, the house of Adam.
Hither come also the same day the other Carouans of Arabia & Damasco, and all the inhabitants for ten daies iourney round about, so that at one time here is to be seen aboue 200000. persons, and 300000, cattell. Now all this company meeting together, the night before the feast, the three Hostes cast themselues into a triangle, setting the mountaine in the middest, and fill heauen and earth with shouting-singing, hallowing, gunshot, & fire-workes all that night. The next day being then feast, in silence they attend their sacrifices and prayers onelyonly. And in the euening, they which hauehave horses, mount thereon, and approch as nigh vntounto the mountaine as they can: others make the best shift they can on foote; giuing euer vntounto the Captaine of Cairo the chiefe place, the second to the Captaine of Damasco, & the third to the Captaine of Arabia. And being all approched, there commeth one of the S…ntones mounted on a Camel well furnished, who at the other side of the mountaine ascendeth fiue steppes into a pulpit, made for that purpose, and there maketh a sermon to the people. The Contents whereof, are the benefits which GOD hath bestowèd on them, deliuerance from Idolatry, giuing them the house of Abraham, and the mountaine of pardons: adding that the mercifull GOD commanded his Secretarie Abraham, to build him an house in Mecca, wherein his successors might be heard, at which time all the mountaines in the world came together thither with sufficiencie of stones for the building thereof, except that little lowe hill, which for pouertie could not goe to discharge this debt: for the which it became sorrowfull, and wept thirtie yeares, at the end whereof GOD in compassion said vntounto it, weepe no more my daughter, comfort thy selfe: I will cause all those that goe to the house, of my seruant Abraham, that they shall not be absolued from their sinnes, vnlesse they first come to doe thee reuerence, to keepe in this place their holiest feast. And this I hauehave commanded to my people by the mouth of my friend & Prophet Mahomet. This said, he exhorteth them to the louelove of GOD, to prayer, and Almes. The Sermouended, at the sun-setting they make three prayers: first for the Seriffo, second for the Grand Signior, the third for the People: to which prayers all with one voice, cry Amin Ia Alla Amin Ia Alla; Be it so Lord. Barthema addeth to the Sermon the Cadi or Santones exhortation to weepe for their sinnes, and knocke their breasts with inuocation of Abraham, and Isaac, to pray for the people of the Prophet; and reporteth further, that there were killed on the first day more then thirty thousand Rammes or Sheepe toward the West, and giuen to the poore; of which there were thirty or forty thousand. Thus hauing had the Santones blessing, and saluted the Mountaine of pardons they returne the way they came, in the middest of which way, is a place called Mina: and a little from thence, foure great pillars, two on each side of the way. If any passe not through the middest of these, he looseth all the merit of his Pilgrimage. And from the Mount of pardons, till they be passed these pillars, none dare looke backward, for feare least his finnes which he hath lest in the mountaine, returne to him againe.
Being past these Pillars eueryevery one lighteth downe, seeking in this sandy field fiftie or threescore little stones, which they binde in an handkerchiefe and carry to that place of Mina, where they stay fiue daies, because at that time there is a Faire, free and franke of all custome. And in this place are other three Pillars not together, but set in diuers places, Monuments of those three Apparitions, which the Diuell made to Abraham, and to kBarthema saith Isaac.Ismael his Sonne: for they now a daies make no mention of Isaac, as if he had neuer beene borne. They say that when as Abraham at GODS command went to offer his sonne Ismael, the diuell dehorted him from the same: but seeing his labour lost, hee went to Ismael and bid him pittie himselfe. But Ismael tooke vp stones and threw at him, saying I defend me with GOD from the Diuell the offender. These words the Pilgrims repeate in their visitation of these pillars, hurling away the stones they had gathered. From hence halfe a mile is a mountaine, whither Abraham went to sacrifice his sonne. In the same is a great denne, whither the pilgrims resort to make their prayers, and there is a great stone separated in the middest by the knife of Ismael (they say) at the time of this sacrifice. Barthema reporteth that here at Mecca hee sawe two Vnicornes: which I mention, because since that time I hauehave not found any Author, which hath testified the like sight. They were sent to the Seriffo for a present to the Aethiopian King.
The Carouan departing for Medina, as soone as they come in sight thereof (they call the place the Mountaine of health) they alight, and going vp the hill, shoute with loude voices and say, Prayer and health bee vntounto thee, O Prophet of GOD, Prayer and health be vponupon the Obeloued of GOD. They proceede on their iourney, and lodge that night within three miles of Medina, and the next morning are receiued with solemnitie of the Gouernour. Medina, lDescription of Medina.is a Citie two miles in circuite, with faire houses of Lime and stone, and a square Mosquita in the middest, lesse but more sumptuous then that of Mecca. This Medina, called Tal Nabi, that is, of the Prophet, in Barthema's time contained about three hundred houses, and was very barren, one garden of Dates excepted: but now they hauehave store of Fruits. This Temple is square, a hundred paces in length, fourescore in bredth. It hath in it an Ile made Arch-wise, supported with foure hundred Pillars, and supporting (as he saith) three thousand lampes. In one part of this Mosquita was a Librarie of fortie fiue Mahumeticall bookes. Also within the same (in a corner thereof) is a mIn Barthema it is said that it was a graue (fossa) vnderunder the earth: and there were also Had, Othman, Bub…cher and Hom… with the bookes of their ordinances and Sects.Tombe built vponupon foure pillars vvith a Vault, exceeding in height the Mosquita; being couered with Leade, and the top all in ameld with golde, and an halfe Moone vponupon the top, wrought within very Artificially with golde. Below there are round about great iron staires ascending vp to the middest of the pillars, and in the middest lieth buried the body of Mahumet (not in an iron Chest attracted by Adamant at Mecca, as some affirme.) Or to say the truth, neither here nor at Mecca can they shew this seducers body. For the Captaine of that Carouan of Damasko, in which Barthema went on this Pilgrimage, offered to the chiefe Priest of that Mosquita, three thousand Saraffi of golde, to shew him the bodie of the Nabi or Prophet; that (saith he) being the onelyonly cause of my comming. The Priest answered proudly: How can those eyes, wherewith thou hast committed so much euill in the world, see him by whom God hath created heauen and earth? The Captaine replyed, True Sir, but doe me that fauour, to let mee see his body and I will presently plucke out nWhich some are reported to doe indeede after so holy a sight, not further polluting their eyes.mine eyes. The Priest answered, O Sir I will tell you the truth. It is true, that our Prophet would die here to glue vsus good example: for hee might hauehave died at Mecca, but such was his humilitie for our instruction: and presently after hee was dead, he was carried by the Angels into heauen. And where (saith the Captaine) is IRSVS CHRIST the SONNE of Mary? The Priest answered, At the feete of Mahomet.
In the night time by some fire-workes in the steeple, they would hauehave gulled the credulous people with opinion of miracle, vsing out-cries in the night, saying Mahomet would rise againe: and when the Mamalukes could see no such light shine forth of Mahomets Tombe, as they rumoured, they said it was because they were slaues and weake in the faith, and could not see heauenly sights.
To returne to the discouerie of this supposed Sepulchre: Ouer the body they hauehave built a Tombe of speckled stone, a brace and halfe high, and ouer the same another of Legmante foure-square in maner of a pyramis. Round about the sepulchre there hangeth a Curtaine of silke: which hideth the sepulture from their sight, that stand without. Beyond this in the same Mosquita are other two sepulchers of Fatima & Hali. The attendants on these sepulchers are fiftie Eunuches, white & Taunie, of which, three onelyonly of the eldest and best esteemed white Eunuches, may enter within the Tombe: vvhichwhich they doe twice a day to light the Lampes, and for other seruices. The other attend on the Mosquita and those two other sepulchers. Where eueryevery one may goe and touch at his pleasure, and take of the earth for deuotion, as many doe. The Captaine with great pompe presenteth that Pyramidlike Vestment (whereof you hauehave heard) for the Tombe, the Eunuches taking away the old, and laying on the new: and after this, other vestures for the ornament of the Mosquita. And the people without deliuer vntounto the Eunuches, each man somewhat to touch the Tombe therewith: which they keepe as a relique with great deuotion.
Here is a stately Hospitall built by Cassachi or Rosa, the Wife of Great Soliman, richly rented, and nourishing many poore people. A mile from the Citie are certaine houses, in one of which they say Mahomet dwelt, hauing on eueryevery side many Date-trees, amongst which there are two growing out of one stocke exceeding high, which their Prophet forsooth graffed with his owne hands. The fruit thereof is alway sent to Constantinople for a present to the Graund-Signior, and is said to bee the blessed fruit of the Prophet. Also there is a little Mosquita vvherein three places are counted Holy. The first they affirme their Prophet made his first prayer in, after hee knew GOD. The second is that, whither hee went when he would see the house of Abraham. Where when hee sate downe to that intent, the mountaines opened from the top to the bottome, to shew him the house, and after closed againe as before. The third is the middest of the Mosquita where is a Tombe made of Lime and Stone foure-square, and full of Sand, wherein they say was buried that blessed Camell which Mahomet was alway wont to ride vponupon. On the other side of the Citie are tombes of the Holy Mahumetans, Abubachar, Ottoman, Omar, which Bartemay saith were buried in the same Temple with Mahumet, and all vnderunder the earth. A daies iourney from Medina is a steepe mountaine, hauing no passage but one narrow path, which was made by Haly: who fleeing from the pursuing christians, and hauing no way of escape, drew out his sword, and diuided this mountaine, and so saued his life. The Captaine at his returne to oWhen the Soldans reigned in Egypt, they had a ceremonie after the Pilgrimage, to cut in peeces a Camell which had carried their Alcoran in great solemnitie to the Soldans palace: eueryevery particle of the beast and of his furniture being esteemed, and reserued as a holy relike.Cairo, is with a sumptuous Feast receiued of the Basha, and presented with a garment of cloth of golde: hee againe presenteth the Alcoran, out of the chest to the Basha to kisse, and then it is laide vp againe. By this time your pilgrimage hath more then wearied you.