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Majesty is very famous and admirable； whom they now call EZRABETA
CASSIPUNA AQUEREWANA； which is as much as 'Elizabeth； the Great
Princess； or Greatest Commander。' This done； we left Puerto de los
Espanoles； and returned to Curiapan； and having Berreo my prisoner； I
gathered from him as much of Guiana as he knew。 This Berreo is a
gentleman well descended； and had long served the Spanish king in Milan；
Naples； the Low Countries； and elsewhere； very valiant and liberal； and a
gentleman of great assuredness； and of a great heart。 I used him according
to his estate and worth in all things I could； according to the small means I
had。
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I sent Captain Whiddon the year before to get what knowledge he
could of Guiana： and the end of my journey at this time was to discover
and enter the same。 But my intelligence was far from truth； for the country
is situate about 600 English miles further from the sea than I was made
believe it had been。 Which afterwards understanding to be true by Berreo；
I kept it from the knowledge of my company； who else would never have
been brought to attempt the same。 Of which 600 miles I passed 400；
leaving my ships so far from me at anchor in the sea； which was more of
desire to perform that discovery than of reason； especially having such
poor and weak vessels to transport ourselves in。 For in the bottom of an
old galego which I caused to be fashioned like a galley； and in one barge；
two wherries； and a ship…boat of the Lion's Whelp； we carried 100 persons
and their victuals for a month in the same； being all driven to lie in the rain
and weather in the open air； in the burning sun； and upon the hard boards；
and to dress our meat； and to carry all manner of furniture in them。
Wherewith they were so pestered and unsavoury； that what with victuals
being most fish； with the wet clothes of so many men thrust together； and
the heat of the sun； I will undertake there was never any prison in England
that could be found more unsavoury and loathsome； especially to myself；
who had for many years before been dieted and cared for in a sort far more
differing。
If Captain Preston had not been persuaded that he should have come
too late to Trinidad to have found us there （for the month was expired
which I promised to tarry for him there ere he could recover the coast of
Spain） but that it had pleased God he might have joined with us； and that
we had entered the country but some ten days sooner ere the rivers were
overflown； we had adventured either to have gone to the great city of
Manoa； or at least taken so many of the other cities and towns nearer at
hand； as would have made a royal return。 But it pleased not God so much
to favour me at this time。 If it shall be my lot to prosecute the same； I shall
willingly spend my life therein。 And if any else shall be enabled thereunto；
and conquer the same； I assure him thus much； he shall perform more than
ever was done in Mexico by Cortes； or in Peru by Pizarro； whereof the one
conquered the empire of Mutezuma； the other of Guascar and Atabalipa。
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And whatsoever prince shall possess it； that prince shall be lord of more
gold； and of a more beautiful empire； and of more cities and people； than
either the king of Spain or the Great Turk。
But because there may arise many doubts； and how this empire of
Guiana is become so populous； and adorned with so many great cities；
towns； temples； and treasures； I thought good to make it known； that the
emperor now reigning is descended from those magnificent princes of
Peru； of whose large territories； of whose policies； conquests； edifices； and
riches； Pedro de Cieza； Francisco Lopez； and others have written large
discourses。 For when Francisco Pizarro； Diego Almagro and others
conquered the said empire of Peru； and had put to death Atabalipa； son to
Guayna Capac； which Atabalipa had formerly caused his eldest brother
Guascar to be slain； one of the younger sons of Guayna Capac fled out of
Peru； and took with him many thousands of those soldiers of the empire
called orejones （〃having large ears；〃 the name given by the Spaniards to
the Peruvian warriors； who wore ear… pendants）； and with those and many
others which followed him； he vanquished all that tract and valley of
America which is situate between the great river of Amazons and
Baraquan； otherwise called Orenoque and Maranon （Baraquan is the
alternative name to Orenoque； Maranon to Amazons）。
The empire of Guiana is directly east from Peru towards the sea； and
lieth under the equinoctial line； and it hath more abundance of gold than
any part of Peru； and as many or more great cities than ever Peru had
when it flourished most。 It is governed by the same laws； and the emperor
and people observe the same religion； and the same form and policies in
government as were used in Peru； not differing in any part。 And I have
been assured by such of the Spaniards as have seen Manoa； the imperial
city of Guiana； which the Spaniards call El Dorado； that for the greatness；
for the riches； and for the excellent seat； it far exceedeth any of the world；
at least of so much of the world as is known to the Spanish nation。 It is
founded upon a lake of salt water of 200 leagues long； like unto Mare
Caspium。 And if we compare it to that of Peru； and but read the report of
Francisco Lopez and others； it will seem more than credible； and because
we may judge of the one by the other； I thought good to insert part of the
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120。 chapter of Lopez in his General History of the Indies； wherein he
describeth the court and magnificence of Guayna Capac； ancestor to the
emperor of Guiana； whose very words are these：
〃Todo el servicio de su casa； mesa； y cocina era de oro y de plata； y
cuando menos de plata y cobre； por mas recio。 Tenia en su recamara
estatuas huecas de oro； que parescian gigantes； y las figuras al propio y
tamano de cuantos animales； aves； arboles； y yerbas produce la tierra； y de