A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 106
CHAP. CVI. Examples of other great Cities, and the great Turks Seraglio described.
Ninive described.
NInive was first founded by Assur the son of Sem, Gen. 11. 10. enlarged by Ninus the third Babylonish King, the compasse of it was 408 Furlongs, or fifty one Italian miles, the Walls were one hundred foot high, and so broad, that there Chariots might passe abreast upon them; upon the walls were fiftéen hundred Towers, each of them two hundred foot high: It's called a great City, Jo…a. 3. 3.
Babylon described.
Babylon was founded by Nimrod, Gen. 10. 10. but enlarged by Semiramis, who for the carrying on…of that work, drew together thirty hundred thousand workmen; who in one year finished the Walls which contained in circuit four hundred and eighty furlongs, or sixty Italian miles: they were two hundred soot high, and fifty foot thick: the River Euphrates ran through the middest of it: over which she built a strong, and stately bridge, binding each stone to other, with clips of iron fastened with molten lead. These walls were one of the seven Wonders of the World.
Semiramis her Obelisk described.
Semiramis Queen of Babylon caused an huge Obelisk, square, and of the fashion of a Pyramid, to be cut out of the Armenian Mountaines one hundred and fifty foot long, and 24 foot thick, which with much difficulty was brought to the River Euphrates, and from thence to Babylon, where she erected it, to be matter of admiration to future ages. Diod.
The Rarities in old Babylon described.
Within the huge, and stately City of Babylon was built a Tower reckoned amongst the Worlds Wonders; It had an hundred brazen gates, and two hundred and fifty Towers. Semiramis also built in the same City a stately Temple to Jupiter Belus four square, each side containing two furlongs with brazen gates: In the middest was a solid Tower of the height, and thicknesse of a furlong: upon this another, and so one higher then another, eight in number: In the highest Tower was a Chappel, and therein a fair bed covered, and a table of gold, in the top of this Chappel she placed three golden Statues: One of Jupiter fourty foot long weighing a thousand Talents (each Talent containing sixty three pounds, and almost ten ounces): Another of Ops weighing as much sitting in a golden Throne, at her feet two Lions, and hard by huge Serpents of silver each of thirty Talents. The third Image was of Juno standing, in weight eight hundred Talents: To all which was a common Table of gold fourty foot long, and twelve broad, weighing fifty Talents. There were also two standing Cups of 30 Talents, and two vessels for perfume of the like weight: Besides three other vessels of gold weighing twelve hundred Talents: all which the Persian Kings after their conquest of it took away. Herod.
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon with its Rarities described.
Nebuchadnezzar, after he came to it having conquered all the neighbouring Nations onriched this Temple of Belus with their spoyles, and added a new City to the old without the same, which he compassed about with three walls, and made in them stately gates: and neer his fathers Palace he built another more stately, wherein he raised stone works like unto Mountains, which he planted with all manner of trees; He made also Pensile Gardens (one of the Worlds Wonders) born up on arches four square, each square containing four hundred foot, filled above with earth wherein grew all sorts of trees, and plants: the arches were built one upon another in convenient height, still increasing as they ascended: the highest which bare the walls were fifty Cubits high: he made also Aquaeducts for the watering of this Garden. He erected also an Image of Gold in the plain of Dura six hundred Cubits high, and six broad: These stately buildings made him so to boast; Is not this great Babel that I have built for the house of the Kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my Majestie? Herod.
Quinsay described.
Quinsay was formerly the Regal City of China, situated about the heart of the Countrey, and not far from the Sea side; It was an hundred miles in compasse, had in it twelve thousand Bridges, sixteen hundred thousand housholds, and together with the Countrey adjoyning yielded to the King sixteen millions, and eight hundred thousand Ducats of gold yearly, besides six millions, and four hundred thousand Ducats for the customes of salt. Purch. Pilgrimage. p. 437.
Constantinople described.
Constantinople was built by Constantine the Great; It stands on a cape of land neer the entrance of the Bosphorus: It's in form triangular: On the East side washed with the Sea; on the North with the Haven: and the West side joynes to the Contine… It's walled with brick, and stone intermixed orderly, having twenty four Gates, and Posternes: It's about thirteen miles in Circumference. The world hardly affords a more delicate object if beheld from the Sea, or adjoyning Mountains. The lofty, and beautiful Cypresse-trees are so intermixed with the buildings, that it seems to present a City in a Wood to the pleased beholders. It's built on seven hills, whose aspiring heads are crowned with magnificent Mosques, or Churches, all of white Marble, round in form, and coupled above; being finished on the top with gilded spires that reflect the Sun-beams with a marvellous splendor: some having two, some four, and some six adjoyning Turrets, exceeding high, and slender: Tarrast aloft on the outside, like the main top of a ship, in several places equally distant, whence their Priests with elated voices (for they use no bells) call the people together to their Mahometan service.
The Temple of Sancta Sophia described.
The Temple of Sancta Sophia standing upon one of these hills, exceeds not onelyonly all the rest, but all the most stately Fabricks in the world: The principal part thereof riseth in an Ovall, surrounded with Pillars admirable for their matter, proportion, and workmanship: Over those are others, through which ample Galleries, curiously, paved, and arched above have their prospect into the Temple: The roof is compact, and adorned with Mosaike Painting; which is composed of little square pieces of Marble, gilded, and coloured according to the place they are to assume in the Figure, or ground, which set together, as if imbossed, present an unexpressible statelinesse, and are of marvellons durance. The sides, and floor of the whole Church are laid with excellent Marble: It's vaulted underneath, containing large Cisternes which are replenished with water from an Aquaeduct; within on the left hand is a Pillar covered with Copper which ever sweats: The doores are curiously cut through, and plated. It was from East to West two hundred and sixty feet long, and in height one hundred, and fourscore: and hath contained at once sixe and thirty thousand Turks.
The Turks Seraglio described.
In the extreamest Northeast angle of Constantinople standeth the great Turks Seraglio or Palace compassed with a lofty wall three miles in compasse, comprehending goodly Groves of Cypresse-Trees, intermixed with plaines, delicate Gardens, Artificial Fountains, variety of Fruit-trees, and what not rare? Luxury being the Steward, and the Treasury inexhaustible. The proud Palace of the Tyrant opens to the South, having a lofty Gate-house, engraven with Arabick Characters, set forth with Gold, and Azure, all of white Marble: This Gate leadeth into a stately Court three hundred yards long, and about one hundred and fifty wide; At the farther end whereof is another Gate hung with shields, and Cymiters; This leads into a second Court full of tall Cypresse-trees, being not much lesse then the former. It's Cloistered round about covered with lead, handsomely paved, and supported with Columnes of Marble which have Chapiters, and Bases of Copper. On the left hand is the Divano kept where the Bassa's of the Court do administer Justice: Beyond this Court on the right hand is a street of Kitchins, and on the left stalles large enough for five hundred horses. Out of the second Court is an entrance into the third surrounded with the Royal buildings, large, curious, and costly. Without on the North side stands the Sultan's Cabinet in form of a sumptuous Summerhouse, where he often solaceth himself with variety of Objects, and from whence taking barge he passeth to the delightful places of the adjoyning Asia. In this Seraglio also are many stately roomes appropriated to the seasons of the year, which are called Rooms of fair Prospect, into which the Sultan goeth sometimes alone, but more usually with his Concubines for his recreation. Within a fine little Court adorned with very many delicate Fountaines is the Chamber wherein he gives audience to Ambassadours, &c. one part whereof is spread with very sumptuous Carpets of Gold, and Crimson velvet embroydered with very costly Pearles, upon which the Grand Signeur sitteth: the walls of the room are covered with fine white stones having divers sorts of leaves, and artificial flowers curiously wrought upon them, which make a glorious shew. A little Room adjoynes to it, the whole inside whereof is covered with silver plate, hatched with Gold, the floor being spread with rich Persian Carpets of Silk, and Gold.
There are belonging to the Sultan's lodgings very fair Gardens of all sorts of Flowers, and Fruits that can be found in those parts; with many very pleasant Walks, enclosed with high Cypresse Trees on both sides, and Fountains in such abundance, that almost in every Walk there are some of them.
Besides the former roomes (which are very many) for the Sultan's own use, there are also the womens lodgings, wherein the Queen, the Sultanaes, and all the King's women do dwell, and they have in them Bed-chambers, dining roomes, withdrawing roomes, and all other kind of Roomes necessary for women.
In another place there are divers Roomes, and lodgings for all the principal, and inferiour Officers so well furnished, that nothing is wanting that is fit, and necessary. Amongst which are two large Buildings, one his Wardrobe, the other his Treasury with very thick walls, Iron windowes, and Iron doores.
In the Seraglio are Roomes for Prayer, Bagnoes, Schooles, Butteries, Kitchins, Stillatories, Swimming places, places to run horses in, wrestling places, Butts to shoot at, and all the commodities that may adorn a Prince's Court.
There is also an Hospital for such as fall sick in the Seraglio, in which there are all things necessary for diseased persons: And another large place wherein is kept Timber, Carts, &c. to have them neer hand for the use, and service of the Seraglio.
Over the Stables there is a Row of Roomes wherein is kept all the Furniture for the horses which is of an extraordinary value; For the Bridles, Petorals, and Cruppers are set so thick with Jewels of divers sorts, that they cause admiration in the beholders, and exceed Imagination. The Grand Signior's Bed-chamber hath the walls covered with stones of the finest China metal, spotted with flowers of divers colours, which make a very dainty shew: The Antiportaes were of cloth of Gold of Bursia, and their borders of Crimson Velvet embroidered with gold, and Pearles: The posts of his Bedstead were of Silver, hollow, and instead of knobs on the tops, there were Lions of Crystal; the Canopie over it was of cloth of Gold, and so were the Bolsters, and Matteresses: The floor was covered with very costly Porsian Carpets of Silk, and Gold; and the Pallats to sit on, and Cushions were of very rich cloth of Gold.
In the Hall adjoyning is a very great Lanthorn round, and the barres of silver, and gilt set very thick with Rubies, Emeralds, and Turkesses; The panes were of very fine Crystal, which made a very resplendant shew. There was also a Bason, and Ewre to wash in of Massie Gold, set with Rubies, and Turkesses.
In Constantinople is a Piazza, in which is raised upon four Dice of fine Metal a very fair Pyramid of mingled stone all of one piece, fifty Cubits high carved with Heroical Letters resembling the Agulia of Rome, in whose top were the enclosed ashes of Julius Caesar; In the same Piazza also is a great Pillar of brasse made with marvellous Art in form of three Serpents wreathed together with their mouthes upward.