_The Spaniards haue a louing and fauorable audience of
the gouernor of Chincheo, to whom they do giue the
letters they brought from the Ilands Philippinas._
[Sidenote: Great maiestie.]
When that the Insuanto understood that the Spaniards woulde enter with
the reuerence accustomed, and in such order as was declared vnto them,
hee straightwaies commanded that they should come into the hall whereas
he was, which was a thing to be seene, as well for the bignes as for the
riches that was in it, the which I do let passe because I would not be
tedious. The Spaniards were carried foorth out of that hall whereas they
were first, and after that they had passed the court whereas they came
in, they entred into another hall as bigge as the first, whereas were
many souldiers with their weapons in their hands, in verie good order
and richly apparelled, and next vnto them were many tipstaves and
sergeants, with different ensignes or badges, all apparelled with long
robes of silke, garded and embroidered with gold, and euery one of them
had a helme on his heade, some of siluer and other some of tynne guilt
ouer, which was a gallant thing to see; all had long haire and dyed
yealow, which hong downe behind their eares vpon their backes; they were
placed in very good order, and made a lane that the Spaniards might
passe thorough: then they came into a gallerie, which was ioyning vnto a
chamber where the gouernor was, and there they heard such a noise of
instruments of diuerse sorts, which indured a good while, and was of so
great melodie that it seemed vnto them that they neuer before heard the
like, which caused vnto them great admiration to see so great maiestie
amongst gentiles. When the musicke was ended they entered into the hall
aforesaid, and had not gone many steps, when as they met with the
counsailer that met with them in the streete aforesaid, and with him
other two of his companions, all on foote and bare headed before the
gouernor, and their ensignes of maiestie left off: which is generally
vsed in all the kingdome, the inferior to make anie shewe when that hee
is before his superior. Then they made signes vnto them for to kneele
downe, for that the Insuanto was nigh at hande in a rich tower, vnder a
canopie of great riches, and did represent so great maiestie as the king
himselfe: he did entertaine them with tokens of great loue and
humanitie, and tolde them by their interpreter that they were verie well
welcome, and that he did greatly reioyce to see them, with many other
words of great favour. This gouernor was a man of goodly person, well
fauored, and of a merrie countenance, more then any that they had seene
in all that countrie. He caused to be put upon the shoulders of the
fathers and of the souldiers that were with him, euery one of them, two
peeces of silke, which was crossed about them like skarfes, and likewise
to either of them a branch of siluer: the like curtesie he did vnto the
captaine Omoncon and vnto Sinsay, and commanded to give vnto all their
seruants euery one of them a mantle of cotton painted. This ceremonie is
vsed in that kingdome vnto al captaines and other men that haue done
some valiant exploit (as we haue tolde you before). This being doone,
the fathers did giue vnto him the letters which they carryed from the
gouernor and generall of the fielde, and a note of the present that was
sent him, crauing pardon for that it was so smal, but time and
oportunitie would not serue as then to sende vnto him a thing of greater
price and valor; certifying him, that if the friendship which they
pretended did go forwards, and come to be established, that then all
things should be amended and amplified. He answered vnto their profers
with words of great fauor, and made signes vnto them to arise and to go
and take their rests there whereas they were lodged; the which they did,
and founde all thinges in verie good order and well furnished, as well
of beddes as all other necessaries, which was done by the commandement
of the gouernour. Before they departed out of the pallace, the captaine
of the guard did carrie them vnto his lodging, which was within the
court, and there he made them a banquet with conserues, and fruits in
abundance: the which being doone, hee and other gentlemen of the pallace
did beare them companie vntill they came to their lodgings, which they
greatly desired, for that they were wery of their iourney, and also with
the trouble of the great presse of people that pressed on them in the
streets and otherwise for to see them: the which captaine of the guard
did appoint a company of souldiers for to gard them both night and day,
the which was done more for maiesty then for necessitie or securitie of
their persons. They had a steward appointed to prouide them and all
their company of all thinges necessarie, and that in abundance, and not
to take of them any thing, which was giuen by particular commandement by
the gouernour.