h a wall, and that they sell the
earth within the wall, for so much a squadron, and the limits are set how
deepe or how low they shall digge. Those Diamante that are of a certaine
sise and bigger then that sise, are all for the king, it is many yeeres
agone, since they got any there, for the troubles that haue bene in that
kingdome. The first cause of this trouble was, because the sonne of this
Temeragio had put to death the lawfull king which he had in prison, for
which cause the Barons and Noblemen in that kingdome would not acknowledge
him to be their king, and by this meanes there are many kings, and great
diuision in that kingdome, and the city of Bezeneger is not altogether
destroyed, yet the houses stand still, but empty, and there is dwelling in
them nothing, as is reported, but Tygers and other wilde beasts. The
circuit of this city is foure and twentie miles about, and within the
walles are certeine mountaines. The houses stand walled with earth, and
plaine, all sauing the three palaces of the three tyrant brethren, and the
Pagodes which are idole houses: these are made with lime and fine marble. I
haue seene many kings Courts, and yet haue I seene none in greatnesse like
to this of Bezeneger, I say, for the ordes of his palace, for it hath nine
gates or ports. First when you goe into the place where the king did lodge,
there are fiue great ports or gates: these are kept with Captaines and
souldiers: then within these there are foure lesser gates: which are kept
with Porters. Without the first gate there is a little porch, where there
is a Captaine with fiue and twentie souldiers, that keepeth watch and ward
night and day: and within that another, with the like guard, wherethorow
they come to a very faire Court, and at the end of that Court there is
another porch as the first, with the like guard, and within that another
Court. And in this wise are the first fiue gates guarded and kept with
those Captaines: and then the lesser gates within are kept with a guard of
Porters: which gates stand open the greatest part of the night, because the
custome of the Gentiles is to doe their businesse, and make their feasts in
the night, rather then by day. The city is very safe from theeues, for the
Portugall merchants sleepe in the streets, or vnder porches, for the great
heat which is there, and yet they neuer had any harme in the night. At the
end of two monethes, I determined to goe for Goa in the company of two
other Por