A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Z

The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries

R >> Richard Hakluyt >> The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries




Consider (friendly reader) how Munster is delighted to harpe vpon one
string, that when he can write nothing of an vnknowen nation which may cary
any shew with it, he is faine either to bring in falshood, or often to
repeat the same things, and so to become tedious vnto his reader: for he
sayd a little before, that the Islanders liue vpon fish. His words aboue
recited were these: Island conteineth many people liuing onely with the
food of cattell, and sometimes by taking of fishes. And that I may omit the
rest in which some trifle might be noted whereas he sayeth that bread
groweth not in Island: it is most true: which I thinke is common therewith
to Germany also, because bread groweth not there neither, except it be in
Munsters field where naturall vineger also doth marueillously encrease. But
these toyes, by the liberty of rethoricke forsooth, shall be out of danger.
Howbeit, vnto these reproches, which strangers do gather from the meats and
drinks of the Islanders, we will hereafter briefly answere, Sect. 15.


SECTIO DECIMA.

[Sidenote: Munster. Krantzius.] Incolæ res maiorum et sui temporis
celebrant cantibus et insculpunt scopulis, atque promontorijs, vt nulla,
nisi cum naturæ iniuria, intercidant apud posteritatem.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] Citharædi, et qui testudine ludunt, apud eos
reperiuntur quàm plurimi, qui prædulci modulamine et volucres et pisces
irretiant et capiant.

[Sidenote: Veterum gesta apud Islandes conseruata.] Quin veterum gesta
aliquot cantibus et poematibus nostratium, vt et soluta oratione, apud nos
conseruentur, non negamus. Quòd verò à nobis aut maioribus nostris eadem
scopulis vel promontorijs insculpta sunt, eam non licet nobis, vt neque
illam tantam Citharædorum, aues aut pieces demulcentium, laudem accipere.
Statuimus enim animi esse generosi ac veracis, vt crimina falsa refellere,
ita laudem immeritam sibi haud vendicare, nec, etsi quis tribuat,
agnoscere.

The same in English.

THE TENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munsterus. Krantzius.] The inhabitants do celebrate the actes of
their ancestours, and of their times, with songs, and they graue them in
rocks and promontories, that they may not decay with posterity, but onely
by the defect of nature.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] There be diuers found amongst them that be minstrels,
and can play vpon the lute, who with their delectable musicke ensnare and
take both fowles and fishes.

[Sidenote: The Islanders preserue in writing the acts of their ancestors.]
We denie not but that some woorthy actes of our forefathers be reserued in
the songs and poemes of our countreymen, as also in prose: but that the
same things haue beene engrauen by vs, or by our ancestors in rocks or
promontories, we may in no case acknowledge that praise be due vnto vs, nor
yet the other of minstrels, and taking of birds and fishes. For we holde it
to be part of an honest and ingenuous mind, as to refute false crimes, so
not to challenge vndeserued praise vnto himselfe, nor to accept it being
offered.


SECTIO VNDECIMA.

Sed cum scriptoribus iam dictis, viris alioqui spectatæ eruditionis et
preclari nominis, qui tamen hæc ita inconsideratè scriptis suis
interseruerunt, actionis finis esto.

Etiam magna mei pars est exhaosta laboris:

Sed restat tamen fætus ille vipereus Germanicus, quem idcircò anonymum
secundo partu mater edi voluit, vt venenatis aculeis nomen Islandorum tantò
liberiùs pungeret.

Porrò licet aduersus hanc bestiam in arenam descendere non dubitem, omnibus
tamen constate volo, quonam hoc animo faciam, videlicet, non vt cum illius
pestifera virulentia, conuicijs aut maledicentia certem (Nam vt est in
triuiali paroemia,

Hoc scio pro certo, quod si cum stercore certo,
Vinco, seu vincor, semper ego maculor:)

Sed vt bonis et cordatis omnibus, etiam extraneis, satisfaciam qui
maledicentiam istam Germanicam lecturi vel audituri sunt, aut olim
audierint, ne et hi nos meritò calumniam tantam sustinere credant: Tum
etiam vt alios qui istis virulentis rhythmis Germanicis, in gentis nostræ
opprobrium vtuntur, et inde dicteria et comumeliosas subsannationes ad
despiciendos Islandos petunt, ab ilia mordendi licentia in posterum, si
fieri possit, abducamus.

Ergò, ne longis ambagibus Lectori fastidium oratio nostra pariat, ad ea
narranda accedam, quæ maledicus ille Gennanus in suum pasquillum congessit:
Quem etiam sua de Islandis carmina Encomiastica recitantem in his pagellis
introducerem, nisi præuiderem foetum ilium probrosum, tot et tam varijs
maledictis turgidum, omnibus bonis nauseam mouere posse, ac sua spurcitie
ab ijs legendis absterrere.

Referam igitur præcipua, (ijs scilicet omissis quæ cum alijs communia
habet, atque hactenus ventilata sunt) sed, quàm ille, longe mitius; ne, vt
dixi, linguæ ipsius obscoena petulantia, aures bonæ et eruditæ offendantur:
Qui ipsum videre aut audire volet, quærat apud propolas. Nobis inquam, non
est in animo putida ipsius calumnia et conuiciorum sentina, has chartas
inquinare. [Sidenote: 1. Obiectio seu conuicium.] Primùm igitur obijcit
Germanicus hic noster, si Dijs placet, Historicus: Multos ex pastoribus
Islandiæ toto biennio sacram concionem ad populum nullam habere: Vt in
priore editione, huius pasquilli legitur, quod tamen posterior editio
eiusdem refutat: Dicens, eosdem pastores in integro anno tantum quinquies
concionari solitos: quæ duo quàm ritè sibi consentiant, videas bone Lector,
cum constet Authorem mox à prima editione vix vidisse Islandiam. Ita
scilicet plerúmque mendacium mendacio proditur, iuxta illud: Verum verò
consentit; Falsum nec vero nec falso.

Sed com nostrum non sit veritatem vspiam dissimulare, nos haud negandum
ducimus conciones sacras circa id tempus, quo iste Sycophanta in Islandia
vixit, nempe anno 1554. aut circiter multò fuisse rariores, quàm sunt
hodiè, tum scilicet tenebris Papisticis vix dum discussis. Quod etiam de
Psalmis Dauidicis à vulgo Latinè demurmuratis, vt idem nostratibus
exprobrat, intelligere est: Papistæ enim totam spem salutis in sua Missa
collocantes, de concione aut doctrina parum fuere solliciti. Postquam verò
caligine illa exempti sumus, aliter se rem habere, Deo imprimis gratias
agimus: Licet quorundam pastorum nostrorum tardam stupiditatem, segnitiem
et curam præposteram non possimus omni modo excusare. Quod vtrum in nullos
suorum popularium etiam competat, aliæ quoque nationes viderint.

The same in English.

THE ELEVENTH SECTION.

But now, let this be the end of our controuersie with the authours
aforesayd, being otherwise men of excellent learning, and of great renoume,
who notwithstanding so inconsiderately haue entermedled these things in
their writings. And now the better part of my labour is finished.

But yet there remaynes that viperous German brood, the mother whereof would
haue come to light, as it were at a second birth, without name, that it
might so much the more freely wound the fame of the Islanders with venomous
sting.

Moreouer, although I be not afrayd to encounter with this beast, yet would
I haue all men to know with what minde I vndertake this enterprise, namely,
not that I meane to contend with his pestiferous rancour, by reproches, and
railing speeches (for as it is in the common prouerbe:

I know, that if I striue with dung most vile,
How ere it be, my selfe I shall defile);

but that I may satisfie all honest and well affected men, euen strangers
themselues, who shall hereafter reade or heare, or haue heretofore heard
that Germane pasquill, least they also should thinke that we woorthily
sustaine so monstrous a disgrace: and also that I may from henceforth, if
it be possible, restraine others (who vse those venomous Germaine rimes to
the vpbrading of our nation, and from hence borrow their scoffes, and
reproachfull taunts to the debasing of vs Iselanders) from that libertie of
backbiting.

Therefore, that I may not be tedious to the reader with long circumstances,
I will come to the rehearsing of those things which that railing Germane
hath heaped vp in his leud pasquill: whom also I could bring in, repeating
his friendly verses of the Ilanders, within the compasse of this my booke,
but that I doe foresee that the sayd slanderous libell being stuffed with
so many and diuers reproches, might breed offence to all honest men, and
deterre them from reading it, with the filthinesse thereof.

I will therefore repeat the principall matters (omitting those things which
he hath common with others, or, that heretofore haue been examined) but
farre more modestly then he, least (as I sayd) I cause good and learned
mens cares to tingle at his leud and vnseemely rimes: that they are
desirous to see or heare him let them enquire at the Stationers. It is no
part of our meaning (I say) to defile these papers with his stinking
slanders, or with the filthy sinke of his reproches.

[Sidenote: The first obiection or reproch.] First therefore, this our
goodly Germaine Historiographer obiecteth that there be many Pastours in
Island, which preach not to their people once in two yeres, as it is read
in the former edition of this pasquill, which notwithstanding the latter
edition doth refute: saying that the sayd Pastours vse to preach but fiue
times in an whole yeere which two, how well they agree together, let the
reader be iudge, seeing it is manifest that the authour himselfe, presently
after the first edition, had scarse seene Island. So oftentimes one he
betrayeth another, according to that saying: Trueth agreeth vnto trueth;
but falshood agreeth neither to trueth nor to falshood.

But sith it is our part not to dissemble the trueth in any place, we will
not denie that holy sermons, about the time wherein this sycophant liued in
Island, namely in the yere 1554, were seldomer in vse then they are at this
day, namely, the darkenesse of popery being scarsely at that time
dispelled. Which also is to be vnderstood concerning the Psalmes of Dauid
mumbled by the common people in Latine, as he casteth vs in the teeth: for
the Papists grounding all the hope of their saluation in the Masse, did
little regard the sermon or doctrine. But after we were freed from that
mist, it hath bene (God be thanked) farre otherwise with vs: although we
cannot altogether excuse the dulnesse, slouth, and preposterous care of
certeine of our Pastours. Which, whether it agreeth to any of their
countreymen or no, let other nations iudge.


SECTIO DUODECIMA.

[Sidenote: 2. Conuitium] Secundò calumniatur vitilitigator: Adulteria et
scortationes non modò publica esse et frequentia scelera inter Islandos:
sed ab ijs pro scelere ne haberi quidem.

Etsi autem foedissimæ istæ turpitudines etiam in nostra repub. non prorsus
inusitatæ sunt: tamen cum omnibus constet in alijs quoque nationibus longè
etiam frequentiores esse, cum ibi quoque populi frequentia maior: immeritò
et malignè hoc nomine magis Islandos, quàm populos et gentes reliquas,
quarum, vt dixi, nomen etiam plus nostratibus hoc crimine malè audit,
notauit.

Et licet ex animo optarim longè minus ad scelera, et turpitudines in nostra
patria conniueri, quàm passim hîc fieri videmus: tamen etiam innata illa
mordendi libidine, hoc veterator in præsenti conuitio attexuit: videlicet,
quòd scelera ista ab Islandis pro scelere non habeantur. Nam in quâ demum
repub. id impudens ille asserere audet? Illane; quæ in legem codicis ll.
titulo Mannhelge: cap. 28. iurauit; quæ statuit, vt iterum adulterium qui
cum coniuge alterius commiserit, confiscatis suis bonis, capite etiam
pectatur? Illane, quæ pro adulterio, à famulo cum vxore domini commisso,
non ita dudum 80. thalerorum mulctam irrogauit? Illane, quæ eundem, si ad
statutum tempus non soluerit vel vades dederit, in exilium proscribendum
decreuit? Illane: cuius leges politicæ, quemuis in adulterio cum vxore, à
viro legitime deprehensum, si euaserit, homicidij mulctam expendere iubent?
Illane, cuius itidem leges politicæ, in complexu matris, filiæ aut sororis,
à filio, patre, vel fratre deprehensum, vitam suam midio eius, quod quis si
eundem insontem interfecisset, expendere teneretur, redimere iubent?
Illane, cuius leges politicæ adultorium sceleris infandi nomine notarunt et
damnarunt? Et in eo tertiò deprehensum, capite plectendum seuerè mandant?

Cernis igitur, Lector benigne, quàm iniurium habeamus notarium, dicentem:
Adulterium et scortationes in Islandia peccati aut sceleris nomen non
mereri. Nam licet politici quidam hoc vel illud scelus impunitum omittant,
non debet tota gens, non leges, non boni et pij omnes, eo nomine in ius
vocari, aut male audire.

The same in English.

THE TWELFTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: The second reproach. ] Secondly, the trifler shamefully
reporteth, that adulteries and whoredomes are not onely publique, and
common vices amongst Islanders: but that they are not accounted by them
for vices.

Although indeed these most filthy abominations, euen in our common wealth,
be not altogether vnusuall: notwithstanding, since al men know that they
are farre more common in other nations, where be greater multitudes of
people, he did vndeseruedly, and maliciously note the Islanders rather with
this reproch, then other people and nations, who are more infamous with
this crime then our countreymen.

And albeit I wish with all mine heart that vices and enormities were much
lesse wincked at in our countrey, then we see they are, yet notwithstanding
this iugler by reason of his naturall inclination to backbiting, hath added
this in his last reproch: namely that these vices by the Iselanders are not
accounted for vice. For, in what common wealth dare the impudent companion
affirme this to be true? What? in that common wealth which hath sworne to
obserue the law contained in our statute booke vnder the title of Manhelge
chap 28, whereby it is enacted, that whosoeuer committeth adultery with
another man's wife the second time, his goods being confiscate, he shall be
punished with death? Or in that common wealth, which not long since hath
inflicted the penalty of 80 dollers vpon a seruant committing adultery with
his masters wife? Or in that common wealth which hath decreed that if he
doth not pay, nor lay in sureties at the day appointed he shalbe banished
the country? Or in that common wealth the politike lawes whereof doe
streightly command that whosoeuer be according to law found in adultery
with another man's wife, by her husband, if he escape, he shall vndergoe
the punishment of manslaughter? Or in that common wealth, the politike
lawes whereof do also enioyne a man that is taken in carnall copulation
with the mother, daughter, or sister, by the sonne, father, or brother, to
redeeme his life with the one halfe of that which he oaght to haue payed,
if he had shed the innocent bloud of the sayd party? Or in that common
wealth the pollitike lawes whereof haue noted and condemned adultery vnder
the name of a most heinous offence? And do straightly command that he which
is taken the third time in that beastly act shalbe punished with death?

You see therefore (friendly readers) what an iniurious Notary we haue,
affirming that adultery and whoredome in Island deserueth not the name of
sinne and wickednesse for although some officers let slip this or that vice
vnpunished, yet ought not the whole nation, nor the lawes, nor all good and
godly men, in that regard, to be accused or euill spoken of.


SECTIO DECIMATERTIA.

[Sidenote: 3. Conuitium] Tertium conuicium est, quo fraudis et perfidiæ
erga Germanos Islandis notam inurit. Fuit autem proculdubio famosi huius
libelli author, cerdo et propola circumforaneus, multòsque Ilandiæ angulos,
sordidæ mercaturæ gratia, ostintim adierat: quod ipse de se in præclaris
illi suis rythmis testatur, maximam Islandiæ partem sibi peragratam esse.
Vnde cum ipse mala fide cum mulus egerit (plerumque enim fraus et mendacia
coniunguntur, et mendacem se fuisse, hac ingenij sui experientia satis
probauit) etiam fortè à se deceptorum fraudem est expertus. Hinc illa in
totam gentem criminatio extitit: Dissimulato intereà, qua fide quidam
Germanorum, quibus annua est nauigatio ad Islandos, cum nostris hominibus
agant. Ea autem querela, cum non alios conuiciari, sed aliorum in gentem
nostram immerita conuncia monstrare instituerim, consultò supersedeo.

The same in English.

THE THIRTEENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: The third reproach] The third reproch is, whereby he doth brand
the Islanders with the marke of deceit and trechery toward the Germans.

Doubtles the author of this libell was some vagabond huckster or pedler,
and had gone particularly into many corners of Island to vtter his trumpery
wares, which he also testifieth of himselfe in his worthy rimes, that he
had trauailed thorow the greatest part of Island, whereupon when he had
played the cousining mate with others (for often times deceit and lying are
ioyned together, and he hath sufficiently proued himselfe to be a liar, by
this triall of his wit) peraduenture himselfe was beguiled by them whom he
before time had defrauded.

From hence proceedeth this slander, against our whole Nation: dissembling
in the meane time with what honestie certaine Germans, making yerely
voyages into Island, deale with our men. But seeing by this complaint I
haue not determined to reproch others, but to lay open the vndeserued
reproches of others against oar nation, I do here of purpose surcease.


SECTIO DECIMAQUARTA.

[Sidenote: 4. 5. 6. & 7. Conuitia.] Quarto: negat in conuituijs quemquam
discumbentium à mensa surgere: sed matres familias singulis conuiuis
quoties opus fuerit matellas porrigere. Prætereà variam conuiuiorum
edendi bibendíque rusticitatem notat.

Cubandi et prandendi ritus obijcit: quod decem plus minus in eodem lecto
promiscuè viri cum foeminis pernoctent, inque lecto cibum capiant: atque
interea se non nisi aleæ aut latrunculorum ludo exerceant.

Sexto. Calumniatur eosdem faciem et os vrina proluere.

Septimo. Nuptiarum, sponsalium, natalitiorum celebritatem et funerum ritus
contemptuosè extenuat.

Hæc et huiusmodi plurima in gentem insontem, imò de se et suis optimè
meritam, impurus calumniator euomit. Quæ quidem eius generis sunt, vt illi
de his respondere prorsus dedignemur. Nam vt demus (quod tamen non damus)
aliquid huiusmodi apud homines sordidos, et ex ipsa vulgi colluuie infimos,
quibuscum longè sæpius, quàm bonus et honestis conuersabatur,
animaduertisse præclarum hunc notarium Gemanicum (vixerat enim, vt eius
rhythmi testantur, diutiuscule in locis maritimis Islandiæ, quo ferè
promiscuum vulgus, tempore piscaturæ annuatim confluit, et tam extraneorum
nautarum, quàm sua nequitia corruptum, sæpius inhonestè mores et vtam
instituit) Tamen manifestiorem etiam hoc loco iniuriam nobis facit, vnius
nebulonis et desperati Sycophantæ turpitudine, totam gentem (vt ferè solent
etiam alij) aspergendo, quàm vt refutatione vlla indigeat. Cuius rei etiam
ipsi extranei in nostra Insula non parum versati, locupletissimi testes
esse possunt.

Possem multas eius farinæ foeditates, rusticitates et obscoenitates etiam
in ipsius natione deprehensas colligere. Sed odi facundiam caninam, nec in
aliorum opprobrium disertum esse iuuat: nec tam tenet esse volo, vt
verbulis transuerberer. Id tantum viderint boni et pij omnes, cuius sit
animi, pessima quæque ab vno aut altera designata, toti genti obijcere. Si
quis Germaniæ aut alterius nationes vrbes et pagos omnes peragret, et
scelera ac mores pessimos, furta, homicidia, parricidia, scortationes,
adulteria, incestus luxuriem, rapinas et reliquas impietates et
obscoenitates in vnum coactas, omnibus Germanis, aut alioqui alteri cuiuis
toti nationi communes esse asserat, atque hæc omnia insigniter mentiendo,
exaggeret, ísne optimæ rei studiosus habebitur?

Sed quid mirum, licet verbero, et, vt propriè notem, porcus impurus, iste,
inquam, Rhythmista, naturam et ingenium suum eiusmodi loidoria prodiderit?

Notum est enim porcos, cum hortos amænissimos intrarint, nec lilium nec
rosas aut flores alioqui pulcherrimos et suauissimos decerpere: Sed rostro
in coenum prono, quicquid est luti et stercoris volutare, vertere et
inuertere, donec impurissima, hoc est, suo genio apprimè congruentia
eruant, vbi demum solida voluptate pascuntur.

Ad istum igitur modum hic porcus Rythmista, optima, et quæ in nostra Repub.
laudabilia esse possunt, sicco pede præterit, pessima quæque atque ea, vel
à nullo, vel admodum paucis designata, hoc est, suæ naturæ, et ingenio
aptissima, vt se esse, qui dicitur, re ipsa probaret, corrasit; vnde
posthac porci nomen ex moribus et ingenio ipsius factum, sortitor.

The same in English.

THE FOURTEENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: The 4. 5. 6. & 7. reproches.] Fourthly, he sayth that in bankets
none of the ghests vse to rise from the table: but that the good wife of
the house reacheth to euery one a chamber pot, so oft as need requireth.
Moreouer, he noteth much vnmanerliness of eating and drinking at bankets.

Fiftly, he obiecteth customes of lying in bed, and of dining: namely that
ten persons, more or lesse, men and women be altogether in the same bed,
and that they eat their meat lying in bed: and that in the meane time
they do nothing but play at dice or at tables.

Sixtly, he reporteth that they wash their hands or their faces in pisse.

Seuenthly, he despightfully abaseth our solemnizings of marriages,
spousals, birth-dayes, and our customes at burials.

These, and a number of such like reproches hath this impure slanderer,
spued foorth against an innocent nation, yea and that nation which hath
deserued right well of him and his countrimen. Which are of the same kind
with these, in so much that we altogether disdeigne to make answere vnto
them. For, that we may graunt (which notwithstanding we will in no case
yeelde vnto) that this worthy Germane notarie obserued some such matter
among base companions, and the very of-scouring of the common people, with
whom he was much more conuersant than with good and honest persons (for he
had liued, as his rimes testifie, somewhat long vpon the coast of Island,
whither a confused rout of the meanest common people, in fishing time do
yerely resort, who being naught aswell through their owne leudnesse, as by
the wicked behauiour of outlandish mariners, often times doe leade a badde
and dishonest life) notwithstanding we are in this place more manifestly
wronged through the knauery of this one varlet, and desperate sycophant by
his defaming of the whole nation (as others also vsually do) then that it
should neede any refutation at all. Of which thing strangers themselues,
who are not a little conuersant in our Iland, may be most sufficient
witnesses.

I could also gather together many such filthy, vnmannerly, and baudie
fashions noted by others euen in his own countrey. But I detest this dogged
eloquence, neither take I any pleasure to be witty in the disgracing of
others: and yet I will not shew my selfe such a milke-soppe as to be
daunted with light words. Onely, let all honest and good men consider, what
disposition it argueth, for one to obiect against a whole nation certaine
misdemeanours committed by some one or other particular man. If any man
should trauell thorowout all the cities and townes of Germanie or any other
nation, and heaping together the offences, and most leud maners, the
robberies, manslaughters, murthers, whoredomes, adulteries, incests, riots,
extortions, and other prophane, and filthy actes, should affirme them to be
common to all Germans, or otherwise to any other whole nation, and should
exaggerate all these things with notorious lies, is he to be accounted one
that spends his time in a good argument? But what maruaile is it, though a
varlet, and, that I may giue him his true title, a filthy hogge, that imer
(I say) hath bewrayed his nature and disposition in reproches? For it is
well knowen that swine, when they enter into most pleasant gardens, do not
plucke lilies or roses, or any other most beautifull aud sweet flowers; but
thrusting their snouts into the ground, doe tumble and tosse vp and downe
whatsoeuer durt and dung they can finde, vntill they haue rooted vp most
vncleane things, namely such as are best agreeable to their nature,
wherewith they greedily glut themselues: Euen so this hoggish Rimer lightly
passeth ouer the best and most commendable things of our Common wealth, but
as for the woorst, and those which haue been committed by none, or by very
few, namely, such things as best fit his humour and disposition (that he
might indeed show himselfe to be the same which we haue termed him) those
things (I say) hath he scraped vp together: whereupon hereafter by my
consent, for his maners and disposition let him enioy the name of a swine.


SECTIO DECIMAQUINTA.

[Sidenote: 9. Conuitium.] Nonum conuicium hic recensebimus, quod à victu,
ac præcipuè cibo potu Islandorum maledicus ille porcus, non vno aut paucis
verbis, sed prolixa inuectiua petiuit: Nempe quòd cibis vtantur vetustis,
et insulsis, idque sine panis vsu: Tum etiam quòd varia et incognita
extraneis piscium genera illis sint esui, et aquam ac serum lactis in potum
misceant. Quæ omnia venenatus hic pasquillus diserta contumelia, et
ingeniosa calumnia, pulchrè amplificauit.

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