R. Hasleton

Where I used no delay, but entered the bridge in the beginning of the night, about nine of the clock, being in great doubt [fear] of the Watch. But at the first end of the bridge, I saw no man, until I was happily passed over. Then there came one after me, and asked, Who goes there?

It being somewhat dark, and I in apparel and with my weapons like a Moor; [I] answered boldly, That I was a friend, and told him, I was coming to the Governor to deliver letters from the King. For near the river's side there is a village where dwelleth he who hath charge of the keeping of this passage. Whereby I went onward through the village.

But before I was far passed, I heard horsemen upon the bridge; which asked, Whether any man had passed that night?

The watermen told them, There was one gone, even now, which said, He went to deliver the King's letters to the Officer.

But I thought [it] no time now to hear any more of their talk; but betook me to my heels: and so soon as I was without the town, I went out of the Port way [the road to Algiers] into [the] woods; and kept desert ways that night and day following.

And the next night, I came within the liberties of the King of Argire; where I knew the Cabyles [Kabyles] could not fetch me back again.

in that

In this order I escaped their hands, by the mighty power Many danger of GOD. For understand, in these desert mounous wild beasts tains there are all manner of wild beasts, in great country. number; as lions, bears, wolves of marvellous bigness, apes, wild swine; and also wild horses and asses, with many other hurtful beasts: yet was I never in danger of any of them.

In this country of Cabyles, there are divers kinds of very pure metals, as gold, silver, and lead; and good iron and steel: but they, for want of knowledge and skill, make no use of any metal except iron and steel. Although at such times I have been present, while the Smiths have tried their iron, I have seen, among the dross of the iron, very perfect

gold. Which they, perceiving me to behold, were very inquisitive to understand, Whether it were gold, or any other metal of substance?

But I told them, It was but a kind of dross whereof we made colours for painting in England.

They carried me out to the mountains, and shewed me the rocks where they gathered their iron; which rocks had veins of very pure gold. Which I would not reveal to them, but answered as before: because I doubted [feared] if the King once knew me to have experience in such mysteries, he would keep me the more straight[ly]; whereby I might have remained in bondage during my life.

Now when I was within the country of Argire, I was out of dangers from the pursuers; and then did I walk by day and kept the common ways.

Where, coming within the view of Argire, upon the way I met a Turk who knew me at the first sight; and demanded, If I had not been captive with such a man?

I said, "Yes."

He then inquired, Whether I went to the city?
I said, "Yes."

Then turned he back, and did accompany me to the city. When I came there, I would have gone to the English House; but he led me violently to my old Master [p. 372], where I rested me a day and night: my Master not being very earnest, for because, in this time that I was absent [1587-1588], all the English captives were redeemed and sent home.

Wherefore I went to the English Consul, hoping to be presently [instantly] delivered: who gave me very good words, but did not shew me that favour which he professed.

I could make some discourse of his unkind dealing with me and others of our countrymen; which I will leave till [a] more fit occasion.

For, understand, that while I was with him, there came a messenger from my old Master, with whom I was before I went to Genoa [in the previous year, 1587]; who would have carried me away by force: but I would not go, requesting the Consul to take order for my delivery.

But he persuaded me to go with him, saying, that he would, in time, provide for my liberty.

But by means I would not yield to go to my Master, nor yet the Consul would not take order for me: I was taken by the King's Officers, and put in chains in the King's prison, among other captives.

And at the next setting out of the gallies, I was put to my old occupation; where I remained a galley slave for three years and above after [1588-1592.] In which time, I was eight voyages at sea: and at such times as the gallies lay in harbour, I was imprisoned with the rest of the captives, where our ordinary food was bread and water; and, at some times, as once or twice in a week, a small quantity of sodden wheat.

To conclude, I passed my time in sickness and extreme slavery until, by the help of an honest Merchant [ ? Master RICHARD STAPAR, see page 369; or rather STAPERS, see Vol. III., page 169] of this city of London, and having a very fit opportunity by means of certain [of] our English ships which were ready to set sail, bound homeward, upon Christmas Even, being the 24th of December 1592, I came aboard [at Algiers] the Cherubim of London; which, weighing anchor, and having a happy gale, arrived in England towards the end of February [1593] following.

Thus have you heard how it hath pleased the Almighty GOD, after many and great miseries, to bring me to the port which I longed greatly to see: beseeching GOD, of his mercy, to prolong the days of our most gracious and renowned Queen; whose fame reacheth far, and whose most happy government is in admiration with foreign Princes.

So wishing all to the glory of GOD, and
[the] furtherance of the Gospel,

I end.

The Merchant's Daughter of
Bristow [Bristol].

THE FIRST PART.

[Ancient Ballads, etc. in the Library of HENRY HUTH, 1867.]

EHOLD the Touchstone of True Love!
MAUDLIN, the Merchant's daughter of
Bristow town,

Whose firm affection nothing could move!
Such favour bears the Lovely Brown.

A gallant Youth was dwelling by. Which many years had borne this Maiden great goodwill:

She loved him as faithfully:

But all her friends withstood it still.

The young man now, perceiving well

He could not get nor win the favour of her friends;
The force of sorrows to expell,

To view strange countries he intends.

And now to take his last Farewell

Of his True Love, his fair and constant MAUDLIN;
With music sweet, that did excell,
He plays under her window fine.

"Farewell," quoth he, "my own True Love!
Farewell, my dear; and chiefest treasure of my heart!
Through Fortune's spite, that false did prove,
I am inforced from thee to part.

"Into the land of Italy:

There will I waste and weary out my days in woe.

Seeing my True Love is kept from me,

I hold my life a mortal foe.

"Fair Bristow town, therefore adieu! For Padua must be my habitation now: Although my Love doth lodge in thee, To whom alone my heart I vow."

With trickling tears thus did he sing,

With sighs and sobs descending from his heart full sore. He saith, when he his hands did wring,

'Farewell, sweet Love, for evermore !"

Fair MAUDLIN, from a window high,

Beholds her True Love with his music where he stood;
But not a word she durst reply,
Fearing her parents' angry mood.

In tears she spends the doleful night,

Wishing herself (though naked) with her faithful friend:
She blames her friends, and Fortune's spite;
That wrought their loves such luckless end.

And in her heart she makes a vow
Clean to forsake her country and her kinsfolk all;
And for to follow her True Love now,

To bide all chances that might fall.

The night is gone, and the day is come ; And in the morning very early doth she arise. She gets her down to the lower room, Where sundry seamen she espies.