'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.' [‎198] (219/448)

The Tjrece. TheCafile Ryna.
the Saracen as we learn from Mirconds Tarich in his Story of Perfta. From whence we
may conclude, That as the Devil is reftlefs in his labours to form his Worlhip afterthe
bell pattern*, fo the original of this was probably either in allufion to theTypesof the
Ceremonial Law of the Jews as recorded in Levit. chap. 9. verf. 24. or elfe in imitati
on of that fire which for a Divine end Mo[es in Levit. chap. 6. verf. 13 • commanded ihould
neither be extinguiflied nor profaned: and for prefervation whereof, when the Jews,
were led captives into Tcrfia, the Priefts took fire from the Altar and hid it privily in
a dry and hollow pit which many years after was by Nehemah's diredion at his
return from Pcrfia to the holy Land drawn out ^ and though at firlfc fight it appeared like
thick water, yet therewith fprinkling the Wood that was upon the Altar, and the
Sun at that time refleding his beams, it became a great fire quickly and confumed the
facrifice. 2 Mace. 1. 19. So as by this word Fire , whereout Zoroafter would have
all things produced, God was queftionlefs intended according to Dent. 3. 24. and
Heb. 12. 29. where God is called a cwfitmng fire. So as of Fire we may fay what
Plato (the Divine Philofopher) doth of Light, Eft Vmbra Dei: Dens vero eft Lumen In-
minis. To which I may add this truth, that Totins rerum Natwra Caufa & Origo eft Dens.
In thefe Pyrese fometimes they not only immolated their Children,'but men of more
years than difcretion. The Ceremony afterthe dedicationufually was firft to be anointed
bythejefop, crowned with Garlands, and laftly to be attended by a multitude: then
giving the furvivors the fame reafon for that fad Mandanis the Brachman did Alexander
upon the like fareweWk&Ttm votis expetero, qua me marcida jenio came liber at urn inpuriorem
melioremq, Vitam immHtaret, theh^whiles the Mufick makes a noife, throws himfelf into
the fire, with which he thinks that he incorporates. From which Gymnofophifts the
Cowers and Perfees differ but littleat this day concerning that Tenet. Furthermore, upon
this high Mountain it is (fay the inhabitants) that Ptfchyton eldeft Son to Guftafp (who
in Jacobs days ruled Perfta) is (in potentianon moriendi ex Hypotheft) endowed with power
of not dying, with thirty other immortal Chyrons who by Zertoofts doom are to continue
there till Doomf-day *, fo as if any could find the place,they may(m another fence)if thieves
meet them be likewife made immortal.
Here alfo upon Qyeqmts high hill are fome reliquesof the furious Gyantefs Lamafaque
and of Arneofl her husband a Gyant of monftrous ihape and proportion: How many
cubits he was high is incredible; but armed (as the Perjians fabuloufly report) with two
horns as big as the tusks of an Elephant *, his eyes alfo were proportionably big, and
his tail was like to a Cows: but in fight he was as powerful as Hercules. This great Thief
and his Wife were neverthelels both flain by Ham-jha-Honcoir, fuch another Souldier as
was Szmt Roman at Rohan. But leaving thefe, let me draw your eyes to our enfuing
journey. After many laborious fteps we got to a Village called Ryna, twelve miles fhort
otDamoan, where we beheld a Caftle, fo built upon the beib advantagesof Art and Na
ture that to us it feemed impregnable : For above, it wanted no ground either for peace or
War i It had fweet gardens adorned with fruits aud flowers, made happy in a Rlvolet of
pure water which fprings there, and thence delightfully ftreams in many meanders into the
bottome *, but both by its fcituation and defcription may be that of which Procopius writes,
Coeli & aquarum falubritate praftat.
In this place (zszPerftan of quality travelling in our company told us) not above five
and twenty years ago lived Meleck^ Bahaman, who commanded many hills and dales in
Gelac!^ and Taurus, a Prince albeit confined to the middle region, neverthelefs forced
with coft and care to uphold his dignity both againft Tmar and Perftan his great and
quarrelfome neighbours: wherein fuch was his good fortune, and fuch the mutual love
'twixthim and his fubjeds, that though often invaded he Itood fecure , yea, lived to
obferve the ruine of many his emulous neighbours, his aim only tending to preferve
what his predeceifors had made him heir unto, and that his gray hairs might go in peace
unto an eternal dormitory. Thus thought Bahaman-, who alfo added his endeavours to
compleathis thoughts. But Abbas returning from the conqueft of Moz^endxam (having
forced Son of Abdalla-cawn to become his penfioner) unhappily looking up
towards this part of Taurus which feemed to threaten him, refolves to be no longer
bearded