Book XI, Chapter 66

AVaste and spatious Empier is Moscouie, in the same
Bee Riuers, Tanais, Volga, and Boristhenes of fame,
With yearely hallowed Mosca, which the Primate hauing blest,
(Whom to attend the Clargie, Lords, and King himselfe be prest)
He thinks himselfe an happie Man may touch the yse-hewne Pit,
But him in Heauen already whom the Primat sprinks with it.
Euxinus, and the Caspian Seas, doe wash those frozen Shores,
Which vs with fish, oyles, hōny, salte, furs, & good Traffiques stores.
More temprate be the In-land Parts: They reape what they doe Sowe
Within the compas of fower Moones, inn all their haruest, mowe,
And house their Beasts: Thēselues keep close in Stoues vntil the Spring,
And sport with their face-painted Wiues, hild thear a comely thing.

In Customes of the Greeke Church, much corrupted, are they lead:
Monkes, Friers, & Priests swarme theare, not more thā in their Portesse reade:
Nor more haue Priests, or People, than a ceremonious care,
Grosse Worshippers of Images, which in their Houses are:
In all too superstitiously deuoted. Though the Pope
Theare stickell not, their Primate takes as large and pompious scope.
Besides these Christians (for vnto themselues they arrogate
The soundest Christianitie) are subiect to their State
Idolators, that doe adore euen Diuels, or did of late.
Not of the Samoeds rude-wrought Gods, or blood-Rites wil we tarry,
Or of the Stone, neere vnto which did Willoughby miscarry,
To which bring Saylers whit-Meats, least their Ships should Tempests harrie,
But that same female-Idoll cal'd Zelotibab, in part
Of Russia, or the Diuell himselfe acting in it his Arte,
Is worth the note. When ought amisse amongst them doth befall,
An Instrument of Musicke, and a siluer Toade withall
They lay before the Idoll, and before her prostrate fall.
Then, Musick sounded, he to whom the Toade shall come is slaine,
(For come it will) when presently the man reuiues againe,
And tells the cause why hap't the ill, and how to pacifie
The angrie Idoll: which is done, though some for it should die.

The King by Monarchia rules, more absolutely none,
Great Duke of Russia late his Stile, imperiall now his Throne.
He holds a Maiestie not meane, and all of All his Owne,
When to imploy their goods vpon the common good is knowne:
Himselfe, both Iudge, and Iuror, ends with Equitie Debates.
Armipotent in Warte, and hath subdewed mightie States.
An hundred thousand leads he forth against his Foes to fight,
That scorne both hunger, thirst, and cold, wounds, yeelding, feare and flight.
Of cloth of gold, rich Stones, & Plumes, his royall Tent is pight:
Nor to his Souldiours skants he Gifts, that well themselues acquite.
But what particulate we thus, that much in few would write?

NOw wheare we left of Chancelor: he gratious with that King,
Obtayned for our Marchants, as he wished, euery thing.
With Letters then of Credence for himselfe, and Marte for them,
He puts to Sea for England, whome theyse about did hem.
But with vndaunted Courage, to his neuer dying Fame,
All Difficulties ouerpast, to London safe he came.
Thence, after some aboade, with new Consorts, an other Fleete,
And Notes digested for their new attempted Traffique meete,
He did resayle to Russia, there receiued as before:
Cheefe Agents Gray, and Killingworth, bearded fiue foote and more.
In all things with the King for ours did Chancelor preuaile,
And now our Agēts knew their Homes, & where to make their Saile.
But now must end our Swan-song, now the Swan himselfe must end,
Euen he, that toyld such tedious Seas his Countries weale to mend,
Returning Homewards, neere at Home, euen on the Scottish Cost,
Did wracke, and those aboord his Ship then perished for most.
But that he drown'd his care to saue the Russie, sent to vs
In his Conduct, is said the cause: but drown'd he was, and thus.

This Marte, thus set a foote, was Thence for Ob an other sought:
Wherein not little was it, that praise-worthy Burrough wrought.
Of him and (whom I neuer can commend with praises dew)
Of Ienkinson ensues: But first of Elenor anew.