Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 15.djvu/442

 there was presently a generall silence. Then he that bare the scepter before the King, being informed by another, whom they assigned to that office, with a manly and loftie voyce proclaymed that which the other spake to him in secrete, continuing halfe an houre: which ended, and a generall Amen as it were giuen, the King with the whole number of men and women (the children excepted) came downe without any weapon, who descending to the foote of the hill, set themselues in order.

In comming towards our bulwarks and tents, the scepter-bearer began a song, obseruing his measures in a daunce, and that with a stately countenance, whom the King with his Guarde, and euery degree of persons following, did in like maner sing and daunce, sauing onely the women, which daunced and kept silence. The General permitted them to enter within our bulwarke, where they continue their song and daunce a reasonable time.

When they had satisfied themselues, they made signes to our General to sit downe, to whom the King, and diuers others made seueral oration, or rather supplication, that hee would take their prouince and kingdome into his hand, and become their King, making signes that they would resigne vnto him their right and title of the whole land, and become his subiects. In which, to perswade vs the better, the King and the rest, with one consent, and with great reuerence, ioyfully singing a song, did set the crowne vpon his head, inriched his necke with all their chaines, and offred vnto him many other things, honouring him by the name of Hioh, adding thereunto as it seemed, a signe of triumph: which thing our Generall thought not meete to reiect, because he knew not what honour and profit it might be to our Countrey. Wherefore in the name, and to the vse of her Maiestie he tooke the scepter, crowne, and dignitie of the said Countrey into his hands, wishing that the riches and treasure thereof might so conueniently be transported to the inriching of her kingdom at home, as it aboundeth in the same.

The common sorte of people leauing the King and his Guarde with our Generall, scattered themselues together with their sacrifices among our people, taking a diligent viewe of euery person: and such as pleased their fancie, (which were the yongest) they inclosing them about offred their sacrifices vnto them with lamentable weeping, scratching, and tearing the flesh from their