which came into France: for that they trafficke onely to Cairo, and are men in deed of little trafficke and lesse clothing.
As for those which escaped the destruction of the flood, they were therewith so amazed, that they durst not descend into the plaines and lowe countreies, but kept the hils. And we reade of Nimrode, who 130. yeeres after the flood built the Tower of Babell, intending thereby to saue himselfe, if there should come any more such floods.[1]
Therefore it seemeth, that they which first came to be sailers were those which dwell in the east in the prouince of China: although others contrariwise hold them which dwell in the west as in Syria, to haue vsed the trade of the sea soonest after the flood. But this contention about the antiquitie of nauigation I leeue to the Scythians and Egyptians, who were at great variance and difference in this matter: for each of them chalenged vnto themselues the honour of the first sea trauaile.[2] But omitting all iars and differences thereabouts, I will apply my selfe to my purposed discourse, and speake of that which histories haue left in record.
Berosus.
The first nauigation after the flood 143.
There be some wel seene in Antiquities, which say
that in the 143. yeere after the flood, Tubal came by
sea into Spaine, whereby it seemeth that in those
times nauigations were vsed into our parts, out of
Ethiopia.
And they also say farther, that not long after this, the Queene Semyramis went against the Indians in that riuer whereof they tooke their name, and therein gaue battaile vnto the king Stabrobates, wherein he lost a thousand ships.[3] Which being credible by the ancient historie, prooueth manifestly that in those parts, in those times were many ships, and the seas frequented in good numbers.
In the 650. yeere after the flood there was a king in Spaine named Hesperus, who in his time as it is reported went and discouered as far as Cape Verde, and the Island of S. Thomas, whereof he was prince:[4] And Gonsaluo Fernandes of Ouiedo the Chronicler of Antiquities affirmeth, that in his time the
