the discovery of guiana(发现圭亚那)-第4章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
added to the acts of his predecessors； how many kingdoms he hath
endangered； how many armies； garrisons； and navies he hath； and doth
10
… Page 11…
THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA
maintain； the great losses which he hath repaired； as in Eighty…eight above
an hundred sail of great ships with their artillery； and that no year is less
infortunate； but that many vessels； treasures； and people are devoured； and
yet notwithstanding he beginneth again like a storm to threaten shipwrack
to us all； we shall find that these abilities rise not from the trades of sacks
and Seville oranges； nor from aught else that either Spain； Portugal； or any
of his other provinces produce； it is his Indian gold that endangereth and
disturbeth all the nations of Europe； it purchaseth intelligence； creepeth
into counsels； and setteth bound loyalty at liberty in the greatest
monarchies of Europe。 If the Spanish king can keep us from foreign
enterprises； and from the impeachment of his trades； either by offer of
invasion； or by besieging us in Britain； Ireland； or elsewhere； he hath then
brought the work of our peril in great forwardness。
Those princes that abound in treasure have great advantages over the
rest； if they once constrain them to a defensive war； where they are driven
once a year or oftener to cast lots for their own garments； and from all
such shall all trades and intercourse be taken away； to the general loss and
impoverishment of the kingdom and commonweal so reduced。 Besides；
when our men are constrained to fight； it hath not the like hope as when
they are pressed and encouraged by the desire of spoil and riches。 Farther；
it is to be doubted how those that in time of victory seem to affect their
neighbour nations will remain after the first view of misfortunes or ill
success； to trust； also； to the doubtfulness of a battle is but a fearful and
uncertain adventure； seeing therein fortune is as likely to prevail as virtue。
It shall not be necessary to allege all that might be said； and therefore I
will thus conclude； that whatsoever kingdom shall be enforced to defend
itself may be compared to a body dangerously diseased； which for a
season may be preserved with vulgar medicines； but in a short time； and
by little and little； the same must needs fall to the ground and be dissolved。
I have therefore laboured all my life； both according to my small power
and persuasion； to advance all those attempts that might either promise
return of profit to ourselves； or at least be a let and impeachment to the
quiet course and plentiful trades of the Spanish nation； who； in my weak
judgement； by such a war were as easily endangered and brought from his
11
… Page 12…
THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA
powerfulness as any prince in Europe； if it be considered from how many
kingdoms and nations his revenues are gathered； and those so weak in
their own beings and so far severed from mutual succour。 But because
such a preparation and resolution is not to be hoped for in haste； and that
the time which our enemies embrace cannot be had again to advantage； I
will hope that these provinces； and that empire now by me discovered；
shall suffice to enable her Majesty and the whole kingdom with no less
quantities of treasure than the king of Spain hath in all the Indies； East and
West； which he possesseth； which if the same be considered and followed；
ere the Spaniards enforce the same； and if her Majesty will undertake it； I
will be contented to lose her Highness' favour and good opinion for ever；
and my life withal； if the same be not found rather to exceed than to equal
whatsoever is in this discourse promised and declared。 I will now refer the
reader to the following discourse； with the hope that the perilous and
chargeable labours and endeavours of such as thereby seek the profit and
honour of her Majesty； and the English nation； shall by men of quality and
virtue receive such construction and good acceptance as themselves would
like to be rewarded withal in the like。
12
… Page 13…
THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA
THE DISCOVERY＇*＇ OF
GUIANA＇＋＇＇*＇ Exploration
＇＋＇ The name is derived from the Guayano Indians； on the Orinoco。
On Thursday； the sixth of February； in the year 1595； we departed
England； and the Sunday following had sight of the north cape of Spain；
the wind for the most part continuing prosperous； we passed in sight of the
Burlings； and the Rock； and so onwards for the Canaries； and fell with
Fuerteventura the 17。 of the same month； where we spent two or three
days； and relieved our companies with some fresh meat。 From thence we
coasted by the Grand Canaria； and so to Teneriffe； and stayed there for the
Lion's Whelp； your Lordship's ship； and for Captain Amyas Preston and
the rest。 But when after seven or eight days we found them not； we
departed and directed our course for Trinidad； with mine own ship； and a
small barque of Captain Cross's only； for we had before lost sight of a
small galego on the coast of Spain； which came with us from Plymouth。
We arrived at Trinidad the 22。 of March； casting anchor at Point Curiapan；
which the Spaniards call Punta de Gallo； which is situate in eight degrees
or thereabouts。 We abode there four or five days； and in all that time we
came not to the speech of any Indian or Spaniard。 On the coast we saw a
fire； as we sailed from the Point Carao towards Curiapan； but for fear of
the Spaniards none durst come to speak with us。 I myself coasted it in my
barge close aboard the shore and landed in every cove； the better to know
the island； while the ships kept the channel。 From Curiapan after a few
days we turned up north…east to recover that place which the Spaniards call
Puerto de los Espanoles （now Port of Spain）； and the inhabitants
Conquerabia； and as before； revictualling my barge； I left the ships and
kept by the shore； the better to come to speech with some of the
inhabitants； and also to understand the rivers； watering… places； and ports
of the island； which； as it is rudely done； my purpose is to send your
Lordship after a few days。 From Curiapan I came to a port and seat of
Indians called Parico； where we found a fresh water river； but saw no
people。 From thence I rowed to another port； called by the naturals Piche；
13
… Page 14…
THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA
and by the Spaniards Tierra de Brea。 In the way between both were divers
little brooks of fresh water； and one salt river that had store of oysters
upon the branches of the trees； and were very salt and well tasted。 All their
oysters grow upon those boughs and sprays； and not on the ground； the
like is commonly seen in other places of the West Indies； and elsewhere。
This tree is described by Andrew Thevet； in his France Antarctique； and
the form figured in the book as a plan
