Admin: Created page with "=== 1638. Some yeares travels into divers parts of Asia and Afrique by Thomas Herbert. ===
But more usefull to our intellect, is the long time famous'd Mountaine Albors, neere this place; infamous in the Pyreē or Temple of Idolatrous Fyre, which has never gone out for fifty Ages. Strabo in his fifteen and Procopius in his second book of the warrs and jarrs in Persia remember it: Ben-Ionas also, a vagabond Jew records it. Within the Fane (round and low) is an..."

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Created page with "=== 1638. Some yeares travels into divers parts of Asia and Afrique by Thomas Herbert. === <blockquote>But more usefull to our intellect, is the long time famous'd Mountaine Albors, neere this place; infamous in the Pyreē or Temple of Idolatrous Fyre, which has never gone out for fifty Ages. Strabo in his fifteen and Procopius in his second book of the warrs and jarrs in Persia remember it: Ben-Ionas also, a vagabond Jew records it. Within the Fane (round and low) is an..."

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=== 1638. Some yeares travels into divers parts of Asia and Afrique by Thomas Herbert. ===
<blockquote>But more usefull to our intellect, is the long time famous'd Mountaine Albors, neere this place; infamous in the Pyreē or Temple of Idolatrous Fyre, which has never gone out for fifty Ages. Strabo in his fifteen and Procopius in his second book of the warrs and jarrs in Persia remember it: Ben-Ionas also, a vagabond Jew records it. Within the Fane (round and low) is an Altar elevated five steps from the ground: afore this Altar is a Trench or ditch, wherein the Fyre-god is placed; a fire not as is other elementall fire, fed by cumbustibles; but of that, Prometheus stole from Don-Phoebus Cart-wheeles, or which Zertoost their Law-giver stole from heaven, (a cabala of equall truth, and chuse you which likes you best) and is, no doubt in imitation of the Jewish fire which Moses comman∣ded should never bee extinguisht or prophan'd, 6 Levit. 13, the Devill ever frameing his worship (to make it better accounted of) after the best patterne. In this Tophet, they commonly immolated their little children, and somtimes men of more yeers than discretion, thinking by this volunta∣ry to purchase an (iron) crowne, of (hellish) martyrdome. After he had vow'd himselfe to bee a sacrifice, his friends in great troopes, and with no lesse joy flockt about him; clapping him on the shoulders with this greeting. Hayle, blessed man! When? when wilt thou burne thy impure carcasse, to have it purg'd & made glorious in Paradize? he appoints a day, and they prepare towards the ceremony: the time being come, they as∣semble at his gate; & he issues crown'd with garlands; they mount him upon a Mule, (for after hee has vow'd, hee must no more honour the profane earth with his foot-steps) the Iesop annoints him with a hallowed oyle, and after many loving farewells, he incinerates in flame to ashes. Ere his chil∣dren depart, or musick cease roaring, the Priest having consulted with the Devill, tells them their duty; bids them sanctifie themselves, and provide a costly banquet against such a day, when their fathers ghost means to visit them: they leap for joy, and think each houre a day till the time accom∣plishes. At last old Satan comes, that subtle lyar, and in their fathers shape or phantasme, enters amongst them, and at some distance deludes their eyes, and readily satisfies their curiosities; they inquire how Paradize con∣tents him; hee replies, by prospect it is a garden of such delights as are ineffable, but as yet cannot possesse it. They aske why? he tells them, because his will is unperformed; they aske who he left it with, the Priest produces it: the tenor is of one note, his goods must be divided into three, the Altar one, the Priests another, his children a third: without which spell the ghost affrights them ever after. The Gowers in many parts of Persia are of this religion; the Persees also in Indya. Upon these Mountains they fable, that Pischyton (Guztasps eldest sonne, who in Iacobs dayes govern'd Persia) lives here and thirty Immorall Chyrons, who by a grant of Zertoost (the fire-bringer) are to abide here till Doomsday, and if any steale in by chance, they likewise may become immortall. No doubt, but Abbas attempted it. Here also, upon Quequits high hill are some reliques of the furious Gyantesse Lamasaque, and of Arneost her husband, a Gyant of monstrous shape and proportion: I have forgotten how many score of cubits hee was high, but arm'd hee was (if you will beleeve the Persians) with two hornes as big as the tusks of an Elephant; his eyes were terrible big, his taile like to a Cows, but in fight as powerfull as was that club of Hercules: This great theife and his wife were both slaine by Saint Ham-sha Honcoir such another souldier as was Saint Romayn at Rohan. But leaving these ignes fatui, let mee draw your eyes to our ensuing journeys: After many laborious steps wee got to a Village called Ryna, twelve miles short of Damoan; where wee beheld a Castle, so built upon the best advantages of Art and Nature, that it seemes impregnable: above, it wants no ground fitted for ease and warre, sweet gardens fild with fruits and flowers, made happy in a rivolet of pure water springing there, and thence delightful∣ly streaming in many oblique meanders into the bottome.

In this place, five and twenty yeere ago, lived one Meleck Bahaman, who like a second Pluto commanded many hills and dales in Gelack and Taurus; a King, albeit confined to the middle region, most commonly for∣ced with great cost and care to uphold his dignity against Tartar and Per∣sian his great cost and quarrelsome neighbours: yet such was his good fortune, policy, valour, and mutuall love twixt him and his subjects, that though often invaded, he stood secure, yea, lived to heare the ruine of many, his late enemies; his only aime tending to preserve what his predecessors had justly made him heyre unto, and that his gray hayres might go in peace to an eternall dormitory. Thus thought Bahaman, and added his endeavors to compleat his thoughts. But Abbas the ambitious Persian, returning from the conquest of Mozendram (forcing Shalley-mirza sonne of King Ab∣dalla-cawn to become his pentioner) looks up upon Taurus which seemed to threaten his undaunted heart, and vowes to bee no longer bearded by that mountanous King, taking his Motto out of Tacitus, id aequius quod va∣lidius; charging him also that from his lofty dwelling hee peered into his two Kingdomes Medya and Mozendram, by that advantage ransacking his Townes, robbing his Carravans, illuring his wormes, anticipating his progresse to the Caspian Sea, and diverting many rivers into other sources; which springing upon Taurus, stream'd gallantly into Hyrcania & Shervan, without whose felicitating, those Provinces became barren and barbarous. Meleck Bahaman readily answers Abbas, and finds his drift, comparing him to that fable of the Wolfe who drinking at the spring-head, quarrelled with the silly Lambe for troubling his draught by quenching his flagrant thirst at the stream below. Whiles Abbas in an impatient delay resolves to try the chance of war, appointing Methiculibeg with an army of Coo∣sel-bashawes to perfect his designes, and not to descend thence without victory.

It could not be so secretly intended, but aged Bahaman has intelligence of his immediate purposes. At first it troubled him, in that his gray haires were more propense to ease than tumult. Yet, lest his subjects from his example might be discouraged, he throwes away his dull thoughts, and as a common father provides for safety, in armes and victualls furnishing his large Cittadell for many yeares siege, yea, omitting nothing that might in∣title him a carefull and expert Souldier. In each defensive place he plants a Garrison, and makes every part naked and comfortlesse where the Ene∣mie might march, that in nothing he might be advantagious to the Persian. That done, he mews himselfe, his Queene, two sonnes, and ten thousand able men in his defended Castle, not fearing any thing they could attempt against him. The Persian generall with thirty thousand men mount up∣wards and at their first ascent, find the way so tedious, made more dange∣rous by many dismall showres of Darts and stones thundering on them, that they grumbled at such stratagems, and would needs tumble downe againe, till Methiculibeg by many promises of reward, and exposing his owne head in the front of danger drew them up, and after some petty skir∣mishes, incampt himselfe before this Castle; where he was told, the King and victory was included. When they had long viewd this inaccessible fortresse, they halfe dispaired of subduing it. Such was the height of that Castle, and such the perpendicular ascent, two excellent defences Art and Nature had inricht it with. Some Attempts he made, invalidable; to shoot their Arrowes at it, was one with ayming at the Moone. Small shott they had and many Lances, but of small force to batter rocks; so that after ma∣ny tedious bravadoes (wherein the Persian had stones for payment) the Generall, finding force not valuable, turnes Matchiavillian. He summons them above to parlee with him; which granted, he assaults them with ma∣ny protestations of truce and friendship. And that hee might the better shadow truth, presents the aged King with choise Tulipants, Shamsheers, Pearles, and other guilded baits, meane enough to angle for a Kingdome, intreating him to descend and taste a banquet: solemnly swearing by Mor∣tus Ally, the head of Shaw Abbas, by Paradise, by eight transparent Orbs, and other panym attestations, that he should have royall quarter, come and goe as pleased him; no other reason inducing his invitation, than a hearty good will hee bore him, and hopes of agreement upon parlee. The peace∣full King, unused to deceit and warres rotten stratagems, swallowes the tempting hook, and is credulous they had no perfidy. His wife and sonnes disswade, adding fresh examples of their hypocrisie. But neither those nor the teares his men shed to beg his stay, vowing their constancie to the last man, could divert his destiny: but downe he goes and findes the Crocodile below ready to embrace him with teares of joy: but after a short banquet, gives him an iron bed; regarding neither vow, honour, nor ingagement. Bahaman too late repents his dotage. The Pagan Generall thinks all his owne now, and therefore sends his sonne a message of intreaty upon a Speares point, that if they wisht their fathers safety, an end of warre, truce with Abbas, and new Grandeur to their fortunes, they should come down; all which by obstinacie would be forfeited and denied them, yea prove a basis of perpetuall trouble, and a common monumentall shame unto po∣sterity.

Nature, enriches man with reason; Time, with knowledge and expe∣rience. Hence, the two gallant youths, regardlesse of the rodomantadoes description PAGE 189 of the fastidious Pagan, commix discretion and pollicy, throw downe this choking answer, They would beleeve hee was an honest man and condis∣cend to any reason, so the King might have his liberty to come up againe; otherwise he might count them Ideots, the villany and perjury to their fa∣ther being so fresh amongst them: from equall reason, they might de∣mand the Castle and Crowne, as them by whom those things subsisted; other satisfaction they would not give so vile a miscreant, this excepted, That the King of Persia's ill-grounded ambition would never prosper; that though of long time he had politely avoyded the Epithite of a Tyrant, this would rub afresh his former injustice, yea anatomize him so clearely, that all Asya would account him odious: that all the world might tax him of dishonourable avarice, who commanding over many fruitfull Provinces, could not rest contented, without subjugating a Nation never wronging him; a King whose Ante-cessors had for more ages govern'd Larry-Iohn, than Izmaels posterity had done Persia; a Country so cold and barren, that of more than Title he could not any way better himselfe: an unholy ostentation. Sua retinere privatae Domus, de alienis certare regia laus est, sayes Taci∣tus; private men do well to think their owne enough, great ones think all too little for their ambition. Abbas must not be circumscrib'd, the General remembers it. So that retorting him this lawlesse title, Ius mihi objectas, accincto gladio? without more plea; invites them, from their consoli∣dated cloud, to view their Fathers head off: they resolutely bid him do as pleased him, and to call to minde, murther is inexpiable in their Alcoran. Methiculibeg has torne his foxes skin with overstreching it, seeing this de∣vice prove ayre, & knows no way now to blow them up, himselfe is so fine∣ly undermined. But giving his rage a vent, in heat of fury he againe assaul∣ted them, they retaliate his hate with such dexterity that many Coosel∣bashes expir'd their last, and so many others were bruis'd, that they begun a common mutiny, protesting to returne whiles possible, upbray∣ding the Generall, that he knew not how to use a victory, that Bahaman was theirs, Mount Taurus theirs, and doubted not, but they would do ho∣mage if the Shaw would so honour him, that with more credit and gaine they could oppose the Turk or Indyan. The Generall is plung'd into a deadly Dylemma. If he could infuse patience and make them stay, hee knew not how to mount the Castle; if he returned without full conquest, he knew his head should off; Ferrat-cawn, Oliverdi-cawn, Kurchichy-cawn, and other brave Captaines for like faults, being that yeere beheaded. Hee machinates at length another triall; he releases Bahaman, upon his knees beseeches pardon: vowing he us'd this seeming discourtesie, but to try his excellent temper; that his leave to go back was granted him, either to go or stay as pleased him; that Abbas his Master had sent for him, and that he should depart more joyfully, could he but be so happy to see his sons, whom for valour and policy he admired above all mortall creatures, that if any Articles and Truce might reciprocally bee signed to, oh! what content it would affoord, and fetter him in a thousand slavish ingagements. Bahaman, is over-joyed at this Syren, never did musick to his dull eares sound more melodiously; some Magick spell sure had infatuated him; he description PAGE 190 beleeves the Persian, and gives a Sardonick smile to think how blest hee was in this attonement: he dictates a pathetick letter, and is permitted to shew his joy at a distance to his sonnes. A nefarious messenger delivers it and bewitches the well-nigh distracted Princes with such piscashes and pre∣sents of worth, that accepting them, and joying at the easie Articles, they consult and (fearing to irritate so Potent a neighbour to further mischiefe, the Queene also provoking them downe, contrary to the soldiers who presag'd by many submissive diswasions their ruine) downe they go, rely∣ing on the perfidy of the Generall; who sounds for joy, and carries them to their endeared Father, twixt whom was shewed love and obedience in the height of both; the Generall presents them a solemne banquet, but death attended them. For when these three were blessing their good destiny, smiling in a mutuall consent of love, the Generall gives the signe, and at one instant three Coosel-bashes standing by, with their slicing Se∣miters whipt off their heads, all three at one moment made immortall; and ere this villany was spread abroad, by vertue of their seales, they made the men above descend and yeeld the Castle, some receiving mercy, some destruction. By that detested policy yoaking in slavery, this late thought indomitable Nation; such was the miserable end of Meleq' Bahaman and two hopefull Princes, forgetfull of warres subtleties: and how Aladeule their neighbour King of Anti-Taurus for playing fast and loose with Selim first Emperour of Turqs, by equall credulity gave a like issue to his life and Kingdome. Opposit to this Castle is erected the Sepulcher of Ba∣hamans beloved Queene, in the high-way as wee passed: tis of foure equi∣lateralls, elevated eight yards high; the materiall is of stone, well squar'd and plaster'd with white, very apparant and comely.</blockquote>

Albors, Mountain - Revision history