Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 16.djvu/132

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and Omurandono, before their expedition toward the kingdom of Coray, found them, as before, in the same fortitude of minde, being constant in their first opinion: neither would they giue any other counsel or direction, then that the fathers should keepe themselues secret, and should only forsake their houses at Arima, and Omura, wherein the Toni or great lordes would haue some of their kinsemen remaine. It was also thought conuenient, that the number of the Seminary should bee diminished, and that of 90 there should onely remaine 50 in our scholes, namely such as studied the Latine tongue. With the Father Visitour there came vnto Nangasaque certaine Fathers and Friers, which were said to be of Fungo and Firando. For the sayde Father vnder the name of a Legate might retaine them with him more openly.

About this time Quabacondono, that hee might with some pastime recreate his Nobles which accompanied him; and also might declare, with how great confidence and securitie of minde hee tooke vpon him this expedition for China; and likewise to obscure the most renowmed fame of a certaine hunting and hawking performed of olde by that mightie Prince Ioritono, who was Emperour ouer all Iapan; hee determined to ordaine (as it were) another royall court of diuers kindes of fowle. Whereupon beeing accompanied with many great lordes and others, he departed to the kingdome of Oiaren, where his game had so good successe, that hee caught aboue 30000. fowles of all sortes; amongst which were many falcons.

A meane to keepe dead birds sweete in their feathers a long time. Howbeit, for Quabacondono his greater recreation, and for the more solemnitie of the game, there were also added many dead fowles, which the Iaponians with certaine poulders or compositions know how to preserue sweet in their feathers a long time. This game beeing ended, Quabacondono returned with great pompe vnto Maicò: before whom went great multitudes which carried those thousandes of fowles vpon guilded canes. Next after these followed many horsemen sumptuously attired, carying a great number of Falcons and other birdes. After them were lead many horses by the reines, most richly trapped. Next of all were brought Coscis or Littiers very stately adorned: after which was carryed Quabacondono himselfe in a Littier of another fashion, like vnto those which in India are called Palanchins, which was made in China, with most curious and singular workemanship, and was presented vnto him