Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/90

 Men, cost but half a Dollar; and the Truth is, other Things are as cheap. As for Hay, 'tis little or nothing worth; the Meadows are so laden with it, that every Man may take what he will, provided he pay for the Mowing and Carriage; which made us admire the Wisdom of the old Hungarians, after they had passed the Save, who chose so fertile a Country, as Hungary, to dwell in; where there were all manner of Conveniences for Human Life. We passed over a great Tract of Land, both beyond and on this side the Save, and we found the Grass, Barley, Oats and Wheat, almost parch'd and withered with Drought; but as soon as we entred Hungary, the Grass was so tall, that a Coach, that went before, could hardly be seen by another that came after; which is a great Argument of the goodness of the Soil. Rascians, as I told you before, begin at Simandria, and reach as far as the River Drave; they are reputed to be a fudling sort of People, and not very faithful to Strangers. Whence they had their Name and Original, I do not certainly know; but truly they were kind enough to us; we passed through some Villages of theirs of less Note, and at last arrived at Esseck, which is almost inclosed with muddy Marshes, and is famous for the slaughter of Catzianerus, and the overthrow of the Christians. Here I was taken with a Tertian Ague, I was so parch'd with Heat, in travelling the open Fields of Hungary; and at Esseck we passed the Drave, and came to Lasque, where being weary with the Heat of my Journey, and my Ague, I laid me down to Rest. There the chiefest of the Place came to me to bid me welcome; and presented me with large Melons, Pears, and Plumbs of several Sorts, besides Wine, and other Provisions, all of them very good; the noted Country of Cam-*