A New Description of the World, Section 1
Of EUROPE, a brief DESCRIPTION.
EVROPE is the least of the Four parts of the World, yet nothing inferiour in Goodness to the rest, in the Generosity of People, Riches, Worth and Vertue, and exceeding them, if we consider the Flourishing of the True Religion; and is said to take its Name from Europa the Daughter of Agenor King of Phoenicia; containing many Flourishing Kingdoms and Provinces; as will appear in the sequel. And is accounted in length 2800 miles; In breadth 1200; bounded on the West, with the main Ocean; on the East, with the Aegean Sea, Pontus Euxinus, the Fenns of Maeotis, and the River Tanais; from which a right Line conjecturally drawn from the Bay of Granvicus, it is dis-joined from Asia; In the North, it is bounded with the Hyperborean Sea; and on the South, with the Mediterranean, divided into Continent, and Islands, the Continent Intire, and the Islands dispersed, In the Greek, Ionian, Aegean, Adriatick, Mediterranean, Cretan, and Northern Seas; divided chiefly into France, Spain, Italy, the Alps, Germany, Britain, Belgium, Denmark, Swedeland, Hungary, Sclavonia, Russia, Poland, Dacia, and Greece; with the dispersed Islands. And in Europe, beside the Latin Tongue, which is now rather Scholastical, than National, there are other diversities of Language, besides the Italian and French, supposed to be corruptly derived from the Latin; and has been Famous by twice giving Laws to the World, during the flourishing of the Greek and Roman Empires; and at this day, though the least of the four parts, it excels, in what may be called solid good, the other Three, &c.
A Queen she Reigns, upheld by strictest Fate,
Whilst th'other Three, on her as Hand-Maids wait,
With Tribute Glories, to enrich her State.